NEW DELHI: India’s top shooters will be looking to use the season-opening Asian rifle and pistol shooting Championship in the Capital, starting Wednesday at the Karni Singh shooting ranges, as an early benchmark for the year ahead of their long-term goal — the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. While the 10-day event offers no Olympic quota places, it gives athletes a chance to assess their form at the start of the season.India is fielding a massive contingent of 118 shooters, the largest among the participating nations, reflecting both depth and the advantage of competing at home. Much of the spotlight is expected to fall on double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, who is likely to be a major draw for local spectators and a central medal hope in the 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events.

Top marksman, Arjun Babuta, who will be competing in the marquee 10m air rifle event, said he will test new technical changes he has made under match pressure. “I have been working on a few aspects technically. So I want to deliver that in a pressure situation. Let’s see how the results go,” Babuta said after a practice session at the ranges.Babuta’s teammate and former world champion, Rudrankksh Patil, agreed that it was time for him to hit good scores consistently. “I was consistent in the last three months and I want to improve that consistency in terms of scores. The lowest scores which I’ve been shooting are decent scores, but I want to improve that. That is my main focus,” Patil said.World bronze medallist Elavenil Valarivan is expected to be one of India’s strongest prospects in the 10m air rifle.