Indian shooter Zoravar Singh Sandhu won the ISSF People’s Choice Men’s Athlete of the Year 2025 in Doha, Qatar.
He secured the award after defeating compatriot and former world champion Rudrankksh Patil in a global poll.
Sandhu, 48, captured bronze in men’s trap shooting at the 2025 Shotgun World Championship in Athens. This podium finish marked his first individual medal in 18 years and India’s third-ever medal in the event. Earlier, Manavjeet Singh Sandhu claimed gold in 2006, while Karni Singh won silver in 1962.
The veteran shooter, who also clinched gold at the 2023 Asian Games, expressed pride in representing India on the world stage. His victory in the People’s Choice poll highlighted his enduring popularity and the respect he commands among shooting fans worldwide.
Meanwhile, Norway’s Jeanette Hegg Duestad, reigning 50m rifle 3 positions world champion, won both the Women’s Rifle Athlete of the Year and the People’s Choice Women’s Athlete Award. Her teammate Jon-Hermann Hegg received the Men’s Rifle Athlete of the Year title.
China’s Hu Kai earned the Men’s Pistol Athlete of the Year award, while Sun Yujie secured the Women’s Pistol Athlete of the Year honour. In shotgun categories, USA’s Vincent Hancock and Samantha Simonton won the Men’s and Women’s Shotgun Athlete of the Year award,s respectively.
ISSF Athlete of the Year Awards 2025 winners:
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