Are you a shooter? Or you willing to be a shooter or wondering how many types of shooting sports are in the Olympics? Then this blog will cover each discipline in detail, including rifle, pistol, and shotgun events.
Shooting sports have been a part of the Olympic Games since their inception in 1896. That sport required precision, control, and focus to hit targets. Over the years, Olympic shooting has evolved, featuring multiple disciplines that test the skill and endurance of athletes worldwide.
At Ronak Pandit Shooting Centre, we train aspiring shooters for pistol shooting sports events. Our expert coaches help each sports enthusiast to develop their skills. And train them to compete at national and international levels.
What Are the Types of Shooting Sports in the Olympics?
The Olympic shooting events are categorized into three main disciplines:
- Rifle Shooting – In this shooting sport event shooters use a rifle to hit stationary targets from a fixed distance.
- Pistol Shooting – In a pistol shooting event every shooter aims at the target using a handgun, often with one hand.
- Shotgun Shooting – This sport is held outdoors, where the shooter aims at the target in the air at the flying clays.
Each of these disciplines requires accuracy, concentration, and stability. That makes them some of the most challenging Olympic sports.
1. Rifle Shooting Events in the Olympics
Rifle shooting is one of the most popular shooting sports in the Olympics. It requires shooters to hit targets at specific distances while maintaining balance, breath control, and precision.
10m Air Rifle (Men & Women)
- Distance: 10 meters
- Shots: 60 shots in 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
- Position: Standing
- Equipment: Air rifle (maximum weight 5.5 kg)
- Scoring: Each shot is scored from 0 to 10.9 points
The 10m Air Rifle is one of the most competitive Olympic shooting events. This requires intense focus and steady hand movements.
In addition, the 10m Air Rifle event also includes a mixed team competition. Here each team consists of one male and one female shooter. During the qualification round, each team member fires 40 shots within 50 minutes. The top five teams with the highest scores advance to the final round to compete for medals.
50m Rifle 3 Positions (Men & Women)
- Distance: 50 meters
- Shots: 120 shots (40 each in kneeling, prone, and standing positions)
- Time Limit: 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Equipment: .22 caliber small-bore rifle
This event tests a shooter’s ability to perform in different shooting positions. The top 8 shooters move forward to the finale to compete in the finals.
2. Pistol Shooting Events in the Olympics
Pistol shooting requires shooters to fire at a target using a single-handed grip. The events are designed to test control, stability, and accuracy.
10m Air Pistol (Men & Women)
- Distance: 10 meters
- Shots: 60 shots in 1 Hours and 15 Minutes
- Position: Standing, one-handed grip
- Equipment: 4.5mm caliber air pistol
This is an excellent event for beginners and professionals alike. This is the replica of the 10m Air Rifle shooting sport. And the top eight shooter moves forward.
In addition, the 10m Air Pistol event also includes a mixed team competition. Here each team consists of one male and one female shooter. During the qualification round, each team member fires 40 shots within 50 minutes. The top five teams with the highest scores advance to the final round to compete for medals.
Also read: How to Start 10 Meter Air Pistol Shooting Training as a Beginner.
25m Pistol (Women’s Only Event)
- Distance: 25 meters
- Shots: 60 (30 precision + 30 rapid-fire)
- Time:
- Precision phase – 5 series of 6 shots in 5 minutes
- Rapid-fire phase – 5 series of 6 shots in 3 seconds per shot
This event requires both accuracy and quick reflexes.
25m Rapid Fire Pistol (Men’s Only Event)
- Distance: 25 meters
- Shots: 60 shots in different time sequences (8, 6, and 4 seconds per series)
- Equipment: .22 caliber pistol
A fast-paced event that challenges the shooter’s ability to react quickly under pressure.
Also Read: 25m Sports Pistol Shooting: Olympic & ISSF Insights You Should Know.
3. Shotgun Shooting Events in the Olympics
Shotgun shooting involves hitting moving clay targets at over 100kph. That measures 10cm in diameter. This event features men’s, women’s, and also, mixed-team events.
Skeet Shooting (Men & Women)
In this shooting sport, both males and females shoot at clay targets from eight different spots, called stations. The targets fly in from two places—one on the left and one on the right—called houses.
The left house is the high house, and the targets from here are called “marks”. The right house is the low house, and its targets are called “pull”. Each shooter takes 25 shots per round, playing five rounds over three days. The top six shooters with the best scores move on to the final round to compete for medals.
These events demand quick reaction time and superior hand-eye coordination.
Trap Shooting (Men & Women)
Shooters aim at clay targets that are thrown in front of them from five different spots. The first round in the men’s and women’s events is just like Skeet shooting.
In the Trap mixed team event, each team has one male and one female athlete. Every shooter takes 75 shots in three rounds, with 25 shots per round. The top six teams with the best scores move on to the final round to compete for medals.
There used to be an event called Double Trap, where two targets were thrown at the same time, but it is no longer part of the Olympics.
Notable Olympic Shooting Champions
There are a number of talented shooters who have dominated the Olympic shooting sports over the years.
Indian Olympic Champions in Shooting
- Abhinav Bindra (India) – Won India’s first individual Olympic gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle (2008 Beijing Olympics).
- Saurabh Chaudhary (India) – Won gold at the 2018 Asian Games (10m Air Pistol) and competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
- Manu Bhaker (India) – She is a indian shooter. Who won 2 bronze medals in the Olympics Paris 2024 in the 10m Air Pistol and 10m Pistol Mixed Team Event.
How Many Slots in Training Can You Achieve?
At Ronak Pandit Shooting Centre, training is divided into different levels:
- Beginner Level – Basic shooting techniques, stance, and safety.
- Intermediate Level – Advanced aiming techniques and competition strategies.
- Advanced Level – Professional training for national and international championships.
With structured training, shooters can develop the skills needed to excel in Olympic shooting sports.
Start Your Olympic Shooting Journey at Ronak Pandit Shooting Centre
If you want to excel in Olympic shooting sports, Ronak Pandit Shooting Centre offers expert coaching for all levels. Our training programs focus on technical skills, mental focus, and competition readiness. Also, prepare shooters for 10m Air Pistol, 25m Pistol, and 25m Rapid Fire Pistol.
In Conclusion,
So, now you got this there are several types of shooting sports in the Olympics. All require skill, patience, and mental discipline. To achieve your dream of shooting sport you must need to improve your skills and improve your targets.
Ronak Pandit Shooting Centre’s team helps each rising shooter to improve their aims.
Contact us to start your journey today!
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