How did Anantjeet Singh Naruka qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Anantjeet Singh Naruka will be India’s sole male shotgun shooter at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He has earned significant success in the senior circuits over the years and is now set for his maiden Olympic appearance.
Anantjeet secured the Olympic quota for India in the men's skeet competition during the 2024 Asian Shotgun Championships in Kuwait City in January after winning the silver medal in the men’s skeet. It marked the country's 19th Olympic quota, and they would go on to win two more in the following weeks.
The 26-year-old from Jaipur shot 56/60 to win the silver, missing the gold medal by a single point. He had made the final after earning a score of 121 for second place during the qualification rounds. In the team competition, Anantjeet’s score of 121 powered India to a bronze medal with contributions of 113 each from Munek Battula and Gurjoag Khangura.
Anantjeet Singh Naruka took the field next at the Olympic Selection Trials. He recorded impressive scores during the four-stage trials, and along with the bonus points of earning the Olympic quota, the 26-year-old topped the trials and qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Indian shooter will be in action in the men's skeet event as well as the mixed team event alongside women’s shotgun shooter Maheshwari Chauhan. He will be seen in action for the first time on August 1 in the pre-event training, followed by qualification on August 2.
Can Anantjeet Singh Naruka win a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Anantjeet Singh Naruka has been impressive during the qualification rounds. He has regularly touched the mark of 120, and if he can maintain that consistency at the Paris 2024, he will easily be able to qualify for the finals.
The podium finishers at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics had scores of 59, 55, and 46 for the gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. Anantjeet has regularly shot over 50 in recent times, and if he can be at his best, he will have a bright chance of winning a medal in Paris.