Anjum Moudgil's Unusual Qualification Error Paves Way for Bronze Medal at Asian Shooting Championship
In a remarkable turn of events at the Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship in New Delhi, Indian shooter Anjum Moudgil demonstrated that even mistakes can lead to triumph when handled with composure. During the women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions qualification round on Tuesday, Moudgil inadvertently fired match shots thinking they were sighters—the trial shots taken to adjust sights before competition—which counted toward her official score.
A Costly Yet Fortunate Mistake
Anjum Moudgil revealed the unusual circumstances behind her performance. "The qualification was a bit challenging, but I'm really happy with how it ended," she said. "Normally, we get a sighting time before a match. I missed changing targets from match mode to sighters. After about eight shots, I realised the match had started."
The experienced shooter, however, turned this potential disaster into an advantage through her disciplined approach. "The positive thing is that I always take my sighters seriously. So all were full 10 points," Moudgil explained. "Something like this happened to me for the first time in my career."
Medal Success Despite the Error
Remarkably, the qualification lapse did not hinder Moudgil's progress. She finished third in the qualification round and went on to secure the bronze medal in the final. The gold medal was claimed by Sofiya Shulzhenko of Kazakhstan, while India's Aakriti Dahiya earned the silver—her first international medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions discipline.
The competition featured three Indian shooters in the final, with Ashi Chouksey finishing fourth. In team events, Kazakhstan captured the gold, India took silver, and Japan secured bronze.
Adapting to New ISSF Competition Rules
The championship final was conducted under new International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) rules designed to enhance spectator engagement. The 32-year-old Moudgil commented on the adjustments required for the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event, where shooters compete in kneeling, prone, and standing positions.
"Earlier, the stages were clearly demarcated. Now, with the shift to shorter segments, it feels more like choosing on the go," she observed. "This change is mainly for spectators and if they can understand what's happening, it could be interesting. Earlier, the transitions and timing were easier to follow. Adjusting wasn't difficult, though it will require more training."
Celebrating Junior Success and Personal Motivation
Moudgil expressed genuine happiness for her younger teammate Aakriti Dahiya's silver medal achievement. "I'm extremely happy for Aakriti. Moments like these really make me happy because I remember winning my first individual medal back in 2012. She handled the final really well," said the senior shooter.
Aakriti Dahiya, aged 24, explained her attraction to the challenging discipline. "I've always been interested in 50m. It's a very interesting discipline because there are many factors involved. It's a bit more tricky than 10m air rifle shooting and it challenges me more," she stated.
Despite her 18 years of shooting experience, Anjum Moudgil maintains strong motivation. "When you don't win or when you lose, that itself becomes strong motivation. It comes from within. Sometimes, situations or people aren't in your favour and that actually motivates you even more. In a way, I'm thankful to those who haven't stood by me. Because they've helped keep that fire burning," she reflected.
The Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship continues to showcase India's growing prowess in shooting sports, with athletes demonstrating both technical skill and remarkable mental resilience under pressure.
