Arjun Babuta, an M.A. (Journalism & Mass Communication) student of Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab) has bagged Gold in the 10m air rifle final of the Shooting World Cup on its very first day. Representing India, LPU student Babuta trumped Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Lucas Kozeniesky of the USA, in the one sided competition, with the final winning effort of 17-9.

The shooting competitions in rifle/pistol/shotgun are being organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) in Changwon (Korea), which will continue till July 21, 2022. LPU’s student shooter won the event to clinch the country’s maiden gold medal, so far, at the ongoing World Cup. Hailing from Mohali in Punjab and to be a student of LPU to fulfil his dreams, Babuta had earlier topped the ranking match with 261.1 points to qualify for the gold medal clash.

About 450 athletes from 43 countries are taking part in 30 events at the World Cup. It will provide them an opportunity to not only compete for medals, but also for having “World Ranking” points. The LPU student seems to be inching towards capturing another ISSF’s another highest award “the Blue Cross” for the country, like India’s ace shooter Abhinav Bindra did previously. 

Congratulating Babuta and his mentors at the varsity, Rashmi Mittal, pro-chancellor of LPU said, “At LPU students are properly guided, trained and skilled as per their talents and global requirements. That is why our students remain in headlines of diverse fields be they research, innovation, entrepreneurship, cultural activities, placements, social services or sports.”

Founded 115 years ago (1907), the ISSF is the governing body of the Olympic shooting events in rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines, and of several non-Olympic shooting sport events. Presently, over 150 National Shooting Federations from Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania are affiliated with it.

Established in 2005, LPU is India’s top-ranked and highly accredited university that offers UGC approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses. To know more, visit https://www.lpu.in/.