Akhil Sheoran is an Indian sportsperson who participates in professional rifle shooting. Akhil and his teammates won the gold medal for the 50m rifle team event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Akhil Sheoran has also been selected for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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Wiki/Biography
Akhil Sheoran was born on Sunday, 23 July 1995 (age 28 years; as of 2023) in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. [1]International Shooting Sport Federation His zodiac sign is Leo. Akhil Sheoran attended the Godwin Public School in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. He pursued his BA (Prog) from Hansraj College at the University of Delhi. In 2015, Akhil pursued his MBA in Marketing and International Business at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi. Akhil Sheoran represents the Indian Railways.
Physical Appearance
[2]International Shooting Sport Federation Height: 5′ 11″
[3]International Shooting Sport Federation Weight: 88 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Akhil Sheoran’s father is a farmer. His mother is a homemaker. There is not much information about his siblings.
Career
Akhil Sheoran took an interest in sports at a very young age. Growing up in a place where shooting was a popular sport, he started focusing on shooting in 8th standard as his school had a shooting range. Once he earned a spot in the Indian team, he had to take care of the financial responsibility of buying his equipment and covering training expenses. However, he lacked the necessary funds at the time as he didn’t come from a well-to-do family. To help him, his parents took a loan on interest to help him acquire the necessary guns which helped him continue his training. In 2012, Olympic Gold Quest, a not-for-profit organisation, started supporting Akhil’s training and preparation. In an interview, Akhil Sheoran spoke about how he got into shooting,
Our school had shooting as an extra-curricular activity. So I did start the sport quite early and I was using the school equipment until my father got me my first rifle in 2011. The very next year I won my first medal. I have been supported by the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) since 2012. They have ensured that I have everything that I need and that has been a massive help.” [4]The New Indian Express
Akhil continued focusing on shooting while studying at Hansraj College and Jamia Millia Islamia.
A shooting prize won by Akhil Sheoran in college, when he was studying at Hansraj College at the University of Delhi.
Speaking about the MBA he was pursuing in Jamia Millia Islamia, Akhil said,
I chose this course as I wanted to pursue this field once I end my shooting career. When I am away from shooting, studying acts as a tool of focus for me and when I return to shooting, I am mentally fresh and sharp.” [5]Firstpost
Akhil Sheoran is trained by Olympian Deepali Deshpande.
Akhil Sheoran with his coach Deepali Deshpande
In New Delhi at the Asian Olympic Qualifying Shooting Championship, Akhil Sheoran narrowly missed out on securing a quota for the Rio Olympics by just 1.2 points. His hard work paid off when he secured an Olympic Quota for India in the 3-Position Men event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2023. At the Championships, Akhil won the bronze medal in the men’s rifle 3-position competition. His performance earned him a total score of 450 in the final round, which got him an Olympic quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Akhil was the fifth Indian to secure a chance to play in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Not only did Akhil Sheoran secure an individual Olympic quota, but he and his teammates Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Niraj Kumar won the men’s 3P team gold with a total score of 1750.
Akhil Sheoran (left) posing with teammates Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Niraj Kumar, who won the gold medal at the ISSF World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan
After his win, Akhil said in an interview,
It really means a lot to me. We have been working so hard all these years for this. The Worlds come once in four years. To win a medal and a quota as well is really very satisfying. I could have pushed a bit more in the end for silver or gold, although the distance for gold was a bit more. I want to dedicate this quota to my country and thank my federation, SAI and all that have supported me till this day.”
Akhil Sheoran taking aim before shooting his rifle
Akhil Sheoran won the gold medal for the 50m rifle team event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. He achieved this along with his teammates Aishwary Pratap Tomar and Swapnil Kusale. In an interview, Akhil spoke about the people to whom he dedicated his 2022 Asian Games win,
It is my first medal in the Asian Games, and I dedicate it to my parents, coaches, Government, federation, and support staff.”
Akhil Sheoran shooting his rifle at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China
Record
Akhil Sheoran and his teammates (Aishwary Pratap Tomar and Swapnil Kusale) hold the No. 4 World Record position for 50m Rifle 3 Positions in the Men’s category as of 2023. They set the record of scoring 1769 points at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Akhil Sheoran (extreme left) with his 19th Asian Games teammates, Aishwary Pratap Tomar and Swapnil Kusale
Medals
Gold
- 2018: 50m Rifle 3 positions at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico.
- 2022: 50m 3 positions event at the 65th National Shooting Championship (NSCC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Akhil Sheoran (centre) posing with the gold medal that he won at the 65th National Shooting Championship in Kerala
- 2023: 50m rifle team event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
A stupendous win, prestigious Gold and a world record! Congratulations to @KusaleSwapnil, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Akhil Sheoran for emerging victorious in the Men's 50m Rifle 3Ps team event at the Asian Games. They have shown exceptional determination and teamwork. pic.twitter.com/xhuMQUHKZ3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 29, 2023
Silver
- 2015: 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Junior at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany.
- 2015: 10m air rifle junior event at the Asian Shooting Championships in Kuwait.
- 2016: 10m air rifle team event at the Asian Airgun Championships held in Tehran, Iran.
Bronze
- 2012: 10m Air Rifle Men Junior at the Asian Air Gun Championships in Nanchang, China.
- 2015: 10m air rifle team event Summer Universiade in Naju, South Korea
- 2015: International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany.
- 2022: 50m Rifle 3 Positions Mixed Team at the ISSF World Cup in Cairo, Egypt.
- 2023: 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men at the ISSF World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Achievement
Akhil Sheoran won the title of World University Champion at the 6th World University Championship, Poland in 2016, where he won the gold medal.
Akhil Sheoran’s Instagram post announcing his win as the World University Champion in 2016
References
