Shooter Randhir Singh, who won India’s first gold medal in shooting at the Asian Games, passed away on Wednesday. He was 79 years old and had been battling age-related health issues for a long time.
Former shooter Randhir recently resigned from the post of President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) due to health reasons. He was elected for a 4-year term in 2024.
Randhir won a gold medal in the trap shooting event at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games. He also won a bronze in the 1982 Asiad held in India and a silver in 1986.
Randhir represented India in 5 Olympic Games and the 1978 Commonwealth Games. He was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1979.
Randhir Singh won India’s first shooting gold at the Asian Games.
He is survived by his wife, Vinita and three daughters, Mahima, Sunaina, and Rajeshwari. His daughter Rajeshwari is a trap shooting player and has won a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games. Meanwhile his other daughter, Sunaina, has served as the Vice President of IOA.
Rajeshwari (first from left) with father Randhir Singh after winning silver, along with Preeti Rajak.
Randhir Singh’s family boasts multiple international players
Multiple members of the Randhir family have represented India. His uncle, Maharaja Yadvindra Singh, played Test cricket for India. He was a member of the IOC. Randhir’s father, Bhalindra Singh, was also a first-class cricketer and an IOC member from 1947 to 1992.
Late Randhir had a long association with sports administration
Rajiv Bhatia, Secretary of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), expressed grief over his demise, saying that Randhir Singh was among the most respected personalities in sports administration. He made significant contributions to the development of shooting sports and the Olympic movement.
He served as the Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Not only that, but he was also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
