CM Mamata congratulates Abhinav Shaw for winning shooting gold
The Statesman | 23 August 2025
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has congratulated India’s teenage shooting sensation Abhinav Shaw of Asansol, on winning two gold medals and setting new world and Asian records at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship held in Kazakhstan.
In the 10-metre air rifle junior category, Abhinav Shaw, a student of St Vincent’s Technical and High School in Asansol, secured gold. Born in the same year that Abhinav Bindra won India’s first-ever Olympic shooting gold medal, Shaw was named after him. Like Bindra, Shaw also dreams of winning an Olympic gold medal in shooting for the country.
He clinched gold in both individual and team events. In the hard-fought final of the individual 10-metre air rifle match, Shaw defeated South Korea’s Hun Seu Lee by a narrow margin of 250.4 to 250.3 points.
In the team event, Shaw, along with Suresh Vanitha and Himanshu, defeated the People’s Republic of China by 1980.1 to 1885.1 points.
“Our Abhinav Shaw from Asansol has brought glory to Bengal by winning a gold medal in the junior air rifle category at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship held in Kazakhstan. I extend my heartfelt congratulations, best wishes and affection to Abhinav. I also congratulate his parents, family and friends. I wish Abhinav every success in the future,” wrote CM Mamata Banerjee on her official X handle.
Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, also wrote on X: “Abhinav Shaw, the young Indian shooting prodigy, lit up the stage at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship at Shymkent, Kazakhstan. The teenage Indian shooter from Asansol’s St Vincent’s High & Technical School had earlier clinched the title of ‘Youngest National Shooting Champion’ at just 10 years of age. He teamed up with other talented young Indian shooters to win four of the five gold medals on offer, dominating the fourth day of the championship and taking the country’s tally to 26 medals.”
Incidentally, Shaw, along with Naraen Pranav and Himanshu, not only set a new Asian record but also a new world record in the junior team event.
India topped the medals tally at the Asian Shooting Championship. V K Dhall, president of the Asansol Rifle Club—where Shaw began his shooting practice—also congratulated him for creating new world and Asian records. “I am sure he will bring more medals for our country in the future,” said Dhall.
Meanwhile, on home ground, the Asansol Rifle Club is set to host the 57th West Bengal State Shooting Championship at Chandmari Rifle Club Range in Asansol from 24 to 31 August, said Mr Dhall.