Gagan Narang facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gagan Narang

Narang winning Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games
Personal information
Nationality	Indian
Born	(1983-05-06) 6 May 1983 (age 42) Madras, Tamil Nadu
Residence	Hyderabad, Telangana
Occupation	Rifle shooting
Medal record Men's shooting Representing  India Olympic Games Bronze 2012 London 10 m air rifle World Championships Bronze 2010 Munich 10 m air rifle Asian Games Silver 2010 Guangzhou 10 m air rifle Silver 2010 Guangzhou 10 m air rifle team Bronze 2006 Doha 10 m air rifle team Bronze 2006 Doha 50 m rifle 3 positions Bronze 2006 Doha 50 m rifle 3 positions team Asian Championships Gold 2007 Kuwait City 10 m air rifle team Gold 2012 Doha 50 m rifle 3 positions team Silver 2007 Kuwait City 50 m rifle prone Silver 2007 Kuwait City 50 m rifle prone team Silver 2012 Doha 10 m air rifle team Bronze 2007 Kuwait City 50 m rifle 3 positions team Bronze 2012 Doha 50 m rifle 3 positions Commonwealth Games Gold 2006 Melbourne 10m air rifle Gold 2006 Melbourne 10m air rifle pairs Gold 2006 Melbourne 50m rifle 3 positions Gold 2006 Melbourne 50m rifle 3 positions pairs Gold 2010 Delhi 10m air rifle Gold 2010 Delhi 10m air rifle pairs Gold 2010 Delhi 50m rifle 3 positions Gold 2010 Delhi 50m rifle 3 positions pairs Silver 2014 Glasgow 50m rifle prone Bronze 2014 Glasgow 50m rifle 3 positions Commonwealth Championships Gold 2005 Melbourne 10 m air rifle Gold 2005 Melbourne 10 m air rifle pairs Gold 2010 Delhi 10 m air rifle Gold 2010 Delhi 10 m air rifle pairs Gold 2010 Delhi 10 m air rifle badge Gold 2010 Delhi 50 m rifle 3 positions pairs Gold 2010 Delhi 50 m rifle prone pairs Gold 2010 Delhi 50 m rifle prone badge Silver 2005 Melbourne 10 m air rifle badge Silver 2010 Delhi 50 m rifle 3 positions Silver 2010 Delhi 50 m rifle prone Silver 2017 Brisbane 50 m rifle prone

Gagan Narang, born on May 6, 1983, is a famous Indian sport shooter. He is known for winning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. He achieved this in the Men's 10-meter Air Rifle event. Gagan is supported by the Olympic Gold Quest, an organization that helps athletes. He was also part of the important Padma Award committee in 2023.

Gagan Narang's Early Life and Background

Gagan Narang was born in Chennai on May 6, 1983. His parents are Bhimsen Narang and Amarjit. His family belongs to the Punjabi Hindu Arora community. Gagan's father used to be a chief manager at Air India.

The family originally came from Simla Gujran village in Haryana. However, his father's job led them to move to Hyderabad, where Gagan grew up. He went to Gitanjali Senior School. Later, he earned a degree in Computer Application from Osmania University in Hyderabad.

How Gagan Started Shooting

Gagan began shooting in 1997 when his father gave him an air pistol. He practiced a lot in his backyard in Begumpet. His father remembers that Gagan showed a talent for shooting very early. When he was just two years old, he shot a balloon with a toy pistol!

Gagan Narang's Shooting Career Highlights

Gagan Narang has won many medals throughout his career. He is one of India's most successful shooters.

First Big Wins

In 2003, Gagan won a gold medal at the Afro Asian games in Hyderabad. This was in the Men's 10-meter air rifle competition. He then won another gold at the World Cup in 2006. He won the same event again in April 2010.

Setting New Records

Before the 2008 Olympics, Gagan set a new record in a competition in Germany. He shot 704.3 in Air Rifle, which was higher than the world record at that time. In 2008, he also shot a perfect 600 in a qualification round at the ISSF World Cup Final in China. His total score of 703.5 set a new world record. Gagan said his win was special because Barack Obama had just won the US Presidential election on the same day.

Commonwealth Games Success

Gagan Narang has been incredibly successful at the Commonwealth Games.

• At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, he won four gold medals.
• He won another four gold medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. In the 10-meter Air Rifle singles event, he shot a perfect 600, which was a new record.

Asian Games Achievements

Gagan also won medals at the Asian Games.

• At the 2010 Asian Games, he won a silver medal in his favorite event, the 10-meter air rifle.
• He also teamed up with Abhinav Bindra and Sanjeev Rajput to win another silver medal for India in the team event.

Olympic Medal Win

One of Gagan's biggest achievements was winning the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. He competed in the 10-meter air rifle event. His total score was 701.1. This made him the first Indian to win a medal at the 2012 games. He was also only the third Indian shooter ever to win an Olympic medal.

Later Commonwealth Games Medals

At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Gagan continued his success. He won a silver medal in the 50-meter rifle prone event. He also won a bronze medal in the 50-meter rifle 3 positions event.

Gagan Narang's Olympic Journey

Gagan Narang has represented India in several Olympic Games.

Year	Event	Rank
2004 Athens	10 m air rifle	12
2008 Beijing	10 m air rifle	9
2012 London	10 m air rifle
2016 Rio	10 m air rifle	23

Awards and Recognitions for Gagan Narang

Gagan Narang has received many important awards for his achievements in shooting.

• In 2011, he was honored with the Padma Shree Award. This is one of India's highest civilian awards.
• He also received the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for 2010. This is the highest sports award in India. The President of India, Pratibha Patil, presented him with this award on August 29, 2011.
• Gagan was also invited to wave the checkered flag at the 2012 Indian Grand Prix, a big car racing event.

Awards for his 2012 Olympic Bronze Medal

After winning the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, Gagan received several cash prizes and gifts:

• 10 lakh rupees from the State Government of Haryana.
• 5 lakh rupees from the State Government of Andhra Pradesh.
• 5 lakh rupees from the State Government of Rajasthan.
• 2 lakh rupees from the Steel Ministry of India.
• 2 kilograms of gold from Sahara India Pariwar.

Images for kids

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  Gagan Narang winning Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games