India’s first Asian Games Shooting Gold Medallist Randhir Singh dies at 79
Veteran sports administrator and India’s first Asian Games shooting gold medallist Randhir Singh passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79 after battling age-related health complications.
He was undergoing treatment for several days before he breathed his last at his residence in Delhi. Singh had recently stepped down as President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) due to health concerns, despite being elected for a four-year term in 2024.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) confirmed his demise, expressing deep grief over the loss of one of the most respected figures in Indian and international shooting sports.
Randhir Singh made history by winning India’s first-ever shooting gold medal at the Asian Games in 1978 in Bangkok in the trap shooting event. His sporting career also included participation in five Olympic Games, making him one of India’s most experienced Olympians of his era.
Beyond his achievements as an athlete, Singh played a major role in sports administration. He served as Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and was also associated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), contributing significantly to the development of Olympic sports in India and Asia.
The shooting fraternity, including senior officials and athletes, mourned his passing and described his contribution as “irreplaceable” for Indian sports. Condolences poured in from across the sporting world, acknowledging his leadership and long-standing service to the Olympic movement.
Officials noted that Randhir Singh’s legacy extends beyond medals, as he helped strengthen institutional structures for shooting sports in India and inspired generations of athletes.
