National Games 2025: Narmada Nithin Raju Sets National Record

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Source: Uttarakhand Department of Sports

Narmada Nithin Raju Sets National Record, Wins Gold in Women's 10m Air Rifle

Former World Cup champion Narmada Nithin Raju delivered a stunning performance to clinch gold in the women's 10m air rifle event at the 38th National Games. Competing against top contenders, including Asian Games medallist Ramita Jindal and Olympian Elavenil Valarivan, Narmada not only set a new national record but also came agonizingly close to equaling the world record.

Record-Breaking Feat

Representing Tamil Nadu, Narmada topped the eight-shooter final with a remarkable score of 254.4, surpassing Maharashtra's Arya Borse (252.5) and Haryana’s Ramita Jindal (230.4). In the process, she shattered the previous national record of 252.9, set by Olympian Apurvi Chandela in the 2019 World Cup in New Delhi. The world record of 254.5 points, set by China’s Huang Yuting at the ISSF World Cup Final, was missed by a mere 0.1 points.

Narmada’s Reaction and Journey

Overjoyed with her victory, Narmada expressed her excitement:
“I can’t express how happy I am. Representing my state is always a point of pride. Handling pressure on the range is part of the game, but today, it all came together.”

Encouraging young athletes, she advised:
“Instead of looking for role models, be your own. Push yourself every day, and you’ll find success.”

At 23, this victory marks Narmada’s third major career achievement, following her 10m air rifle mixed team gold with Rudrankksh Patil at the 2023 Cairo World Cup and a bronze at the 2023 Bhopal World Cup.

Dominant Performance in the Final

Narmada’s impeccable shooting skills were on full display. Despite finishing third in the qualification round on Wednesday, she showcased nerves of steel in the final. Her three shots scored a perfect 10.9, with another two at 10.8, and she never dropped below 10 in any of her 24 shots.

Arya Borse (22) of Maharashtra delivered a strong performance with 252.5 points, which would have been a gold-winning score on any other day. Meanwhile, Haryana’s Ramita Jindal (21), who topped the qualification round with an impressive 634.9 points, secured the bronze medal.

Other Shooting Highlights

In the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event, Haryana’s Anish Bhanwala clinched gold with 31 hits, finishing ahead of silver medallist Gurpreet Singh (28 hits) of Services. Punjab’s Vijayveer Sidhu (26 hits) secured the bronze medal.

Having returned to competition after a long break, Bhanwala expressed his joy:
“This is my first medal after the Paralympics, and it feels great to be back. This is my second gold at the National Games; my first was in Ahmedabad. The long break has been tough, but it’s all part of the journey.”

Shooting – The Star Event of National Games

Shooting remains one of the most competitive events at the National Games, attracting top-tier athletes. Among the 364 shooters representing 29 teams, several Olympians, including competitors from the Paris Olympics (excluding double-medallist Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh), are vying for national glory.

Narmada’s record-breaking gold has further elevated the prestige of the tournament, showcasing India's rising dominance in shooting sports.

Conclusion

Narmada Nithin Raju’s golden triumph at the 38th National Games cements her position among India’s elite shooters. Her near-world record feat, coupled with an inspiring journey, makes her victory a landmark moment in Indian shooting history. With the National Games serving as a platform for emerging and established talents, Indian shooting continues to make waves on the global stage.

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