India’s top trap shooter Zoravar Singh Sandhu dropped from Asian Games squad

Zoravar Singh Sandhu, who is currently ranked No.1 in Asia and is among the world’s top six, has been left out of India’s proposed shotgun contingent for the upcoming Asian Games, despite having a record of strong international performances.

The shocking move comes at a time when Indian shooting is trying to balance a strict selection policy with rising expectations of international medal success, as per reports.

Zoravar Singh Sandhu reportedly questioned his exclusion from the Asian Games squad, saying the federation should take his international performances into account. He also pointed out that while competing as a ‘zero’ shooter at the World Cup in Kazakhstan, he recorded the highest score among Indian shooters.

However, NRAI secretary-general Pawankumar Singh reportedly defended the decision, saying the federation would stick to the selection policy framed more than a year ago.

Zoravar’s exclusion was mainly due to below-par performances at the National Championships and domestic selection trials, as per reports. 

Despite maintaining a demanding international schedule that included the World Championships and World Cup Finals, those domestic results may have hurt his chances.

The proposed men’s trap team for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4 includes Kynan Chenai, Ahvar Rizvi, and Shapath Bhardwaj.

At 47, Zoravar became only the third Indian trap shooter to win a medal at the World Championships after claiming bronze in Athens last October. He also reached the medal round at the World Cup Finals before finishing seventh.

More recently, he competed as a ‘zero’ shooter at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty, where shooters participate for selection and scoring purposes but are not eligible for medals.

Even in that category, Zoravar recorded the best score among Indians with 119. Under NRAI rules, India’s top-10 shooters must register at least two international scores to remain eligible for national team selection.