Anish Bhanwala

Anish Bhanwala is an Indian pistol shooter born on 26th September 2002. He hails from the Karnal district of Haryana. He specializes in 25m rapid fire air pistol and represents India internationally in that discipline.

Background

Anish Bhanwala was born to Jagpal Bhanwala and his wife. His father is an advocate at Haryana High Court and his mother is a housewife. Anish has an elder sister Muskan Bhanwala who is also an international shooter.

Anish Bhanwala took up shooting as his interest. His interest turned into a passion after he participated in modern pentathlon events at the age of 11. Subsequently, he went on to pursue the sport seriously. Anish’s father Jagpal borrowed a pistol for him to train at the shooting range. His sister, Muskan represents India on the international stage. She was a Gold-medalist in the individual category at the 2018 ISSF Junior World Cup in Sydney, Australia. She competed at the Junior and Senior World Cups, and Junior World Championships.

In 2017, Anish moved to Delhi along with this father, where he practiced for international competitions. He completed his school education at St. Theresa Convent School in Karnal and scored 90% in CBSE 12th Boards.

Rise to Glory

Anish Bhanwala made his international debut for India in 2013 when competed at the U-12 Modern Pentathlon World Championships in Cyprus. In 2015, he participated in the Asian Modern Pentathlon World Championships in Beijing, China.

In 2017, Anish received his first career breakthrough when he won the Senior National Gold medal in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, as well as Gold medals in Junior and Team events in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol at the National Shooting Championships.

In 2019, Anish won the Senior and Junior Gold medals in Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Individual and Team events. That year, he won two Gold medals in 25m Rapid Pistol Individual and Men’s Team events at the South Asian Games in Nepal.

Major Achievements

Anish Bhanwala international career breakthrough came in 2017 when he won his first international Gold medal in 25m Standard Pistol, followed by another Gold in 25m Pistol Team, 2 Silver medals in 25m Pistol, and 25m Standard Pistol Team, and a Bronze in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Team at the ISSF World Junior Championships in Suhl, Germany. Later in the year, he won the Silver medal in 25m Rapid Fire Air Pistol at the Commonwealth Shooting Championships in Brisbane, Australia.

In 2018, he won a Gold medal and Silver in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Individual and 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Team respectively at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Sydney, Brisbane. That year, Anish won two Gold medals in the 25m Standard Pistol Team and 25m Standard Pistol Mix, and a Bronze in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Individual at the Suhl Junior World Cup in Germany.

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, he won the Gold medal in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol and created history by becoming the youngest Indian to win a Gold medal in Commonwealth Games. In 2019, he won a Gold, Silver, and Bronze in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, 25m Standard Pistol Team, and 25m Air Standard Pistol at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany. Anish’s sister, Muskan, too won Gold medals in this competition and became the first siblings' pair to achieve a Gold medal in any ISSF series.

Anish Bhanwala is eyeing the Olympics berth at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics through the world ranking quota once the International Shooting Sport Federation releases the rankings list.