Sofiya Shulzhenko Sets World Record at Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026

Summary – Kazakhstan’s Sofiya Shulzhenko breaks world record in women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions final during day seven of the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026.,

Article –

On day seven of the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026, held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, Kazakhstan’s Sofiya Shulzhenko set a new world record in the women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions final. This achievement on February 26, 2026, highlighted her exceptional skills and set a new standard in competitive shooting across Asia.

Key Details of the Event

The women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions event requires shooters to perform in three distinct positions: kneeling, prone, and standing, testing both accuracy and composure under pressure. In the final:

• Sofiya Shulzhenko scored a total of 469.9 points, surpassing the previous world record of 468.7 points by 1.2 points.
• Her breakdown of scores was 156.8 (kneeling), 160.1 (prone), and 153.0 (standing).
• The previous record was held by a German shooter since 2023.
• The runner-up was Lee Mi-Young from South Korea with 467.5 points.
• Ananya Patel of India earned the bronze with 464.2 points.

Official Statements

Sofiya Shulzhenko expressed her excitement at the post-event press conference:

“Breaking this world record is a dream come true. I have trained intensively for years, and to achieve this here in New Delhi is incredibly special. The competition was fierce, and I am proud to represent Kazakhstan on this stage.”

Dr. Arun Singh, Competition Director, added:

“Today’s performance was extraordinary and elevates the standards for all future competitions. The Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range continues to host superior events and with athletes like Shulzhenko pushing boundaries, shooting sports are poised for exciting growth.”

Implications and Future Prospects

Sophia Shulzhenko’s record-breaking performance has multiple implications:

1. She won the gold medal at the Asian Championship and has enhanced her ranking on the ISSF global leaderboard.
2. She is now a leading contender for the 2026 ISSF World Shooting Championships and the 2028 Olympics.
3. India’s Ananya Patel’s podium finish boosts hopes for the host nation’s future success in continental and global shooting events.

Reactions and Next Steps

Fellow athletes and fans across social media congratulated Shulzhenko, praising her focus and composure under pressure. The championship continues through the weekend with various shooting disciplines including 10m Air Pistol and 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, serving also as a qualification platform for future international tournaments.

Looking ahead, the shooting community will watch closely to see if Shulzhenko can maintain her record-breaking form during the 2026 ISSF World Cup series starting in April.

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Bhavya

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