New Delhi [India], August 20 (ANI): The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) congratulated Akhil Sheoran, Dhanush Srikanth and Rudransh Khandelwal, who’ve been recognised with the Arjuna Award throughout taking pictures disciplines, and Neha Nandkumar Chavan, who has been conferred the Dronacharya Award, as a part of the National Sports Awards 2025.
The honours mark a proud second for the Indian taking pictures fraternity and recognise the excellent contributions of athletes and coaches to the game, in line with a launch.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports introduced the National Sports Awards on August 18, recognising excellent performances and contributions to Indian sport. Akhil Sheoran has been chosen for the Arjuna Award, whereas Dhanush Srikanth and Rudransh Khandelwal have additionally been recognised for his or her achievements in Deaf Shooting and Para-Shooting, respectively. Neha Nandkumar Chavan has been honoured with the Dronacharya Award.
Akhil, one in all India’s main rifle shooters, has been a constant presence within the nationwide setup within the 50m Rifle 3 Positions occasion. He is presently a part of the NRAI’s 2026 National Squad and has continued to make his mark on the nationwide degree, together with ending first within the 50m Rifle 3 Positions occasion at Selection Trial 3 earlier this 12 months.
Neha Nandkumar Chavan’s Dronacharya Award recognises her contribution to taking pictures as a coach and her function in serving to athletes excel on the highest ranges of competitors. Her recognition provides one other important honour for Indian taking pictures and highlights the significance of coaches and the help methods behind the nation’s athletes, the discharge stated.
Dhanush, the world No. 1 shooter within the deaf class, created historical past on the twenty fifth Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo final winter by successful India’s first-ever taking pictures gold on the Games. Competing within the 10m Air Rifle occasion, he rewrote the deaf class world report with a rating of 252.2 within the closing, bettering his earlier mark of 251.7. He had additionally set a brand new Deaflympics qualification report to safe his place within the closing. His gold was complemented by teammate Mohammed Murtaza Vania’s silver, who completed with a rating of 250.1.
Rudransh Khandelwal, one in all India’s most promising para shooters, competes in pistol occasions within the SH1 classification. He has represented India on the Asian Para Games, World Shooting Para Sport World Cups, World Championships and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. His worldwide report consists of a number of medals at World Shooting Para Sport occasions, together with gold-medal performances, making his Arjuna Award recognition a major honour for Indian para taking pictures.
Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President, NRAI, stated: ‘It is a matter of immense pleasure for the complete taking pictures fraternity to see Akhil Sheoran, Dhanush Srikanth, Rudransh Khandelwal and Neha Nandkumar Chavan obtain this recognition. Their journeys characterize the dedication, self-discipline and perseverance which might be on the coronary heart of sporting excellence. These honours are usually not solely a celebration of their particular person achievements but in addition of the coaches, households and help methods which have stood behind them. I congratulate all 4 awardees and hope their success conjures up many extra athletes and coaches throughout the nation.’
Pawankumar Singh, Secretary General, NRAI, stated, ‘The National Sports Awards are among the many highest recognitions in Indian sport, and this can be very encouraging to see 4 members of the taking pictures fraternity being honoured this 12 months. Akhil, Dhanush and Rudransh have demonstrated excellence of their respective disciplines, whereas Neha’s recognition highlights the essential function coaches play in growing athletes and constructing a powerful sporting ecosystem. These honours are a proud second for the NRAI and the complete taking pictures neighborhood, and we congratulate all 4 awardees on this well-deserved achievement.’ (ANI)