15-Year-Old Indian shooter Anish Bhanwala created history in Gold Coast after becoming country’s youngest gold medal winner in the Commonwealth Games. The teenage shooting sensation secured a gold medal in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men's Finals event on Day 10 of Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. His heroic efforts meant India’s gold medal count, 16 in CWG 2018 surpasses Glasgow 2014 tally. Anish not only achieved the gold medal feat but also recorded a Games record in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event at the Belmont Shooting Centre. The youngest in the shooting team, a year younger than 16-year-old Manu Bhaker, Anish showed nerves of steel and led the more experienced shooters through the event to emerge deserving champion. Here are few things to know about the CWG 2018 gold medallist, Anish Bhanwala.

  1. Anish hailing from Karnal, Haryana, shot down the Commonwealth Games record in the final with a score of 30 including four series of 5 each. He outshined Australia's Sergei Evglevski claimed the silver with 28 and Sam Gowin (17) of England who had to settle for the bronze medal. Anish Bhanwala, 15-Year-Old Shooter Wins Gold in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men's Event for India at CWG 2018.

  2. By winning the gold, Anish bettered team-mate Manu Bhaker, who had become the youngest Indian Commonwealth Games gold medallist earlier this week when she emerged champion in the 10m air rifle finals.

  3. In the Qualifications, Anish scored 580 to finish top of the tally while Neeraj was second best with 579. Anish scored 286 in stage 1 and 294 in stage 2 qualifying, while Neeraj had 291 in stage 1 and 288 in stage 2.

  4. Since being part of Indian shooting team in 2017, Anish has represented India at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, ISSF Junior World Championship 2017 in Suhl, Commonwealth Shooting Championships 2017 in Brisbane, ISSF World Cup 2018 in Guadalajara and ISSF Junior World Cup 2018 in Sydney.

  5. Anish won two gold (25m Standard Pistol Jr. Men and 25m Pistol Jr. Men, Teams), two silver (25m Pistol Jr. Men and 25m Standard Pistol Jr. Men, Teams and one bronze (25m Rapid Fire Pistol Jr. Men, Teams) for India in ISSF Junior World Championship 2017, Suhl.

  6. Anish Bhanwala secured India a third individual gold medal at the ISSF Junior World Cup when the 15-year-old finished atop the podium in men's 25m rapid fire pistol event in Sydney.

  7. In 2017 Commonwealth Shooting Championships Anish won a silver medal in 25m Rapid Fire Men.

  8. At ISSF Junior World Cup (U-21), the Haryana shooter was juggling between Class X board exams and participation at the international shooting event. He had got special dates from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to appear for the examinations.

  9. Anish Bhanwala has an elder sister, 16-year-old Muskan Bhanwala who is also a shooter representing India on international events. She had won gold medal in the 25m pistol women junior event in International Shooting Federation Junior World Cup in Sydney.

Seeing the achievements of young shooters such as Anish Bhanwala and Manu Bhaker, one can proudly say India’s future in coming multi-sport events look super bright. We have been a cricket-obsessed nation but thanks to these rising sportspersons, the country is opening up to accepting other sporting events with much enthusiasm.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 13, 2018 11:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).