Jaypal Malviya Wins Historic Silver, Secures India's First Shooting Quota for 2028 Olympics

India’s campaign at the ISSF World Championships received a major boost as rising pistol shooter Jaypal Malviya clinched a historic silver medal in the men’s 10m air pistol event on Thursday, securing the country’s first shooting quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Madhya Pradesh shooter delivered an impressive performance in a high-pressure eight-man final, scoring 242.2 points to finish second. China’s Kai Hu claimed gold with 243.9 points, while Czechia’s Jindrich Dubovy took bronze with 220.9.

Malviya had qualified for the final in third place with 585 points. Despite a few setbacks during the final, he showed remarkable composure, staying in contention and eventually securing the silver medal.

The achievement is particularly significant as the championships in Doha are among the first major international shooting competitions offering qualification places for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“ The crowd was very loud and motivated me. I feel great that I could bring the quota and medal to the country,” Malviya said after his achievement.

Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, Malviya has quickly emerged as one of India’s promising shooting talents. He had earlier announced his arrival by winning gold in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the 2026 National Selection Trials in New Delhi.

While Malviya celebrated a breakthrough, India’s leading women pistol shooters Manu Bhaker and Suruchi Inder Singh endured disappointing outings in the women’s 10m air pistol final.

Double Olympic medallist Manu finished fifth with 179.9 points, while Suruchi settled for sixth with 158.3. China’s Jiang Ranxin won gold with 242.4 points, followed by compatriot Yao Qianxun with 242.1. Hungary’s Veronika Major claimed bronze with 222.1.

All three medallists secured Olympic quota places, leaving the Indian duo without individual quotas.

However, there was some consolation for India in the team event, with Manu, Suruchi and Sainyam combining to win silver with 1,738 points. China claimed gold with 1,745 points. The team medal, however, does not carry an Olympic quota.