In a story of remarkable perseverance and passion, India’s veteran trap shooter Zoravar Singh Sandhu finally achieved his long-cherished dream — winning his first-ever World Championship medal at the ISSF World Championship 2025 in Athens, Greece.
At 48 years of age, Sandhu clinched the bronze in Men’s Trap, marking a defining moment in his illustrious shooting career that began more than three decades ago.
This medal holds extraordinary significance — it is Zoravar’s first World Championship medal across eight editions, ever since he first represented India as a junior at Fagnano, Italy, in 1994. From that debut as a young hopeful to becoming a pillar of India’s shotgun shooting setup, Sandhu’s journey has been a testament to consistency, patience, and sheer love for the sport.
He had earlier won a bronze at the 2007 ISSF World Cup in Changwon and was part of the silver medal-winning team at the 2022 ISSF World Championship in Nicosia. But the World Championship medal — the one that had eluded him for decades — finally came true in Athens, rewarding his unwavering dedication to the sport.
Sandhu entered the qualification rounds in prime form, firing scores of 24, 25, 25, 25, and 23 to total 122/125. His performance featured three flawless rounds and a near-perfect rhythm that placed him among the top scorers. Despite narrowly missing a direct qualification, he secured a finals spot through a tense three-way shoot-off, displaying trademark calmness under pressure.
The final in Athens tested every shooter’s adaptability — fluctuating light, light drizzle, and unpredictable crosswinds challenged focus and timing. When the dust settled, Sandhu had scored 31 hits out of 40, enough to secure bronze. He finished behind former Olympic Champion and now World Champion Josip Glasnovic of Croatia, who won gold with 44 hits, and Junior World Champion Andres Garcia of Spain, who took silver with a score of 39.
“It was a great experience. It was a tough range, tough conditions to shoot but that’s how it is and here we are. I would like to thank my family and my coaches and teammates for their support,” said Zoravar after the final.
Zoravar’s performance in Athens will inspire the next generation — showing that age, adversity, or time are no barriers when dedication runs deep.
Heartfelt congratulations to Zoravar Sandhu on winning the bronze medal in Trap at the World Championships.
Zoravar’s journey is a powerful reminder that passion never fades and perseverance always finds its reward. Through years of quiet dedication, unwavering belief, and love…
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) October 17, 2025