National Games
National Games 2025: Ashi Chouksey surpasses world record in women's 50m rifle 3P
Ashi Chouksey shot an incredible 598 in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions qualification round.

Ashi Chouksey at the 2025 National Games (Photo credit: Abhishek Mishra/The Bridge)
Ashi Chouksey delivered an astonishing performance in the Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions qualification round at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, shooting an impressive 598/600, a score that unofficially surpasses the current world record.
Chouksey's incredible feat of 598 is higher than the official world record of 596 in ISSF competitions.
Even the men’s world record stands at 597, making her performance truly remarkable.
However, as this was a national event, the score will not be officially recognised as a world record.
The record breaker
After setting a new national record of 598, surpassing her own previous best of 597, Ashi spoke to The Bridge in an exclusive interaction.
"I’m feeling really good right now," she said. "I actually broke my own national record, which was 597, and I’ve shot 598.
"It was a special moment when I realized I was close to breaking the world record. During the last five shots in the standing position, I could feel the pressure, but I managed to pull through," she added, brimming with pride.
The Madhya Pradesh shooter’s consistency was impeccable. She achieved perfect scores of 200/200 in both the kneeling and standing, while scoring 198/200 in the prone position.
Her near-perfect performance saw her finish ahead of competitors like Samra Sift Kaur from Punjab (592) and Vinod Vidarsa from Kerala (592).
"The last ten shots were crucial. My body was shivering; it felt like I was about to cry. I had no words to describe it. But I pushed myself to the limit with every shot, and I’m happy I managed to break my own record."
This is Ashi’s third appearance at the National Games, and her journey has seen both highs and lows. Her first National Games saw her finish sixth, and in the last edition in Goa, she won a bronze medal with a score of 590.
Missing out on Paris Olympics
Despite being India’s No. 1 ranked shooter, she narrowly missed qualifying for the Paris Olympics, a disappointment that still stings.
"2024 wasn’t as I had hoped. 2023 was great, but 2024 was the Olympic year, and I just missed out by two points. I don’t have a word for it, but it wasn’t good for me," reflected Ashi.
"I was ranked number one in India and had performed well in the Olympic trials. But just because of my score, I didn’t qualify for the Paris Olympics. According to the policy, it was fair, but it was a huge disappointment for me. I was in top form, but I didn’t make it," she added.
Yet, Ashi refused to let that setback define her.
After taking a three-month break to clear her mind, she made a powerful comeback, winning the senior gold at the National Championships and now breaking her own national record.
"I think I’ve bounced back pretty well. I had to break my own national record, and I think that’s the biggest challenge for me. I’m my biggest competitor," she reflected, confident in her growth.
Looking ahead, Ashi has her sights set on the Asian Championships and World Championships, though she also emphasised the importance of self-care in maintaining balance.
"There are the Asian and World Championships, but I will also take some time for myself this year. It’s important to strike a balance," Ashi shared.
Where it all began
Now unofficially surpassing the world record, Ashi Chouksey’s journey into shooting is a story of unexpected beginnings and determination.
Growing up in a family where sports were not part of the culture, Ashi was the first to carve a path in sports.
“In my family, no one was into sports. I was the only one who was interested. My mom always encouraged me to join the NCC, and so I did. It wasn’t something I had a strong interest in at first, but I decided to give it a shot,” Ashi shared with a hint of nostalgia.
In tenth grade, during a routine NCC camp, she had her first taste of shooting. It was here that her natural talent for the sport came to light.
“We were given the chance to try shooting, and I did really well right away," she said. "The camp instructor was surprised and asked me if I was lying about having no prior experience.
"I assured him I hadn’t touched a gun before that day, but he was so impressed that he encouraged me to take shooting seriously and pursue it professionally," she remembered, laughing at how the journey began almost by chance.
From that moment, her passion for shooting ignited, and the girl from Madhya Pradesh was on her way to breaking records and making history.