From a humble backyard range to the world’s grandest shooting arenas, Samrat Rana’s journey is a portrait of determination, family devotion, and unyielding belief.

The 23-year-old shooter etched his name in Indian sporting history by winning gold in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Championships 2025 in Cairo on Monday — becoming the first Indian ever to claim a senior individual world title in an Olympic pistol category.

A day later, he partnered with Esha Singh to secure silver in the mixed team event, marking a golden chapter for Indian shooting.

Behind Samrat’s triumph lies a story deeply rooted in love, sacrifice, and perseverance. His father, Ashok Rana, built a modest shooting setup in their backyard when his son was just a toddler. That small patch of land became

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