How did Arjun Babuta qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024?
Arjun Babuta took up shooting from an early age and got his career off to a fiery start at the 2017 World Championships. However, it was followed by a downward spiral with multiple subsequent injuries in his spine. Babuta returned to form in 2021 and is now representing India at the Paris Olympics 2024 in the 10 m air rifle event.
Babuta won the gold medal in the 10m air rifle team event at the 2021 World University Games. A year later, he doubled the gold medal tally at the Shooting World Cup, winning the men's 10m air rifle title as well. The 25-year-old competed at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championships and secured a silver medal in the men's 10m rifle to earn an Olympic quota for India.
The silver medal at the Asian Championships also secured his place in the Olympic Selection Trials, which took place in Delhi and Bhopal in April 2024. Babuta finished second with a final average score of 631.80 from three of his four best rounds. It also included an additional point he was awarded for having secured the Olympic quota earlier.
The 25-year-old was named in the team for Paris Olympics 2024 along with Sandeep Singh, who finished first with a final average score of 632.87. He will represent India in the men's 10m air rifle event as well as the mixed 10m air rifle event alongside Ramita Jindal.
Can Arjun Babuta win a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024?
Arjun Babuta has become one of the best shooters in the country after his comeback from the injury. He has already proved himself at international competitions and wouldn't be fazed much by the pressure of the Paris Olympics 2024.
Babuta’s recent performances suggest he is very much in his best form. He equaled Divyansh Singh Panwar's world record of 253.7 during the Olympic selection trials and later broke that mark as well by scoring 254.0. However, the record was overtaken by China's Sheng Lihao in June, who scored 254.5.
If he can manage to hold on to this form, Arjun Babuta could very likely be returning with an Olympic medal from Paris.