Arjun Babuta delivered a stellar performance in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle at Paris Olympics, but narrowly missed out on a podium finish, settling for a commendable 4th place.
Arjun was consistently in the mix for a medal throughout the final, frequently occupying second or third place, but faltered in the final moments of the competition.
Arjun’s performance was marked by intense competition, with the lead changing hands multiple times. At the halfway point, he was just 0.1 point behind China’s Sheng Lihao, who eventually secured the gold with an Olympic record of 252.2 (631.7).
After winning silver in Tokyo, the 19-year-old Sheng came to Paris determined to finish the job and consistently shot high 10s to achieve his goal. This was Sheng’s second gold of the Games after the victory in Men’s 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team with teamamte Huang Yuting.
Despite Arjun’s strong showing, the closing stages proved challenging. Arjun found himself in 4th place with a 10.1 on his 18th shot. Arjun, under immense pressure to avoid elimination, needed exceptional shots. Unfortunately, his final attempts, scoring 10.5 and 9.5, were not enough to secure a medal and he had to settle for a 4th place with a score of 208.4 (630.1) after 20 shots.
Sweden’s Viktor Lindgren secured silver with a score of 251.4 (630.7), and Croatia’s Miran Maricic took the bronze with 230.0 ((631.3) after 22 shots.
Arjun faced a stroke of bad luck earlier also in the Games, as he and teammate Ramita Jindal, narrowly missed the final in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team. The duo finished just a point short of advancing to the bronze medal match.
Arjun arrived at the Olympics with strong credentials, including a gold at the 2022 Changwon World Cup and a silver at the 2023 Asian Championship.
While the results are bittersweet, Arjun’s impressive performance in a highly competitive field underscores his skill and potential for future events. The Indian shooter’s resilience and near-miss finish reflect both his talent and the thin margins that often define Olympic success.