World Championship silver medallist Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Manini Kaushik stole the spotlight on the opening day of the Rifle/Pistol National Selection Trials 1 & 2 (Group A) here on Monday by topping the men’s and women’s 50m rifle prone events respectively.

Aishwary showcased his class in the men’s section, finishing at the top of the standings with a strong performance that underlined his consistency and experience on the national circuit.

In the women’s 50m rifle prone T1, Manini delivered a composed and balanced display to clinch first place with an impressive total of 625.0. Her series-wise scores of 104.7, 104.2, 102.3, 104.6, 104.2 and 105 reflected remarkable steadiness across all stages of the competition.

Karnataka’s Tilottama Sen secured the second position with a score of 622.6, while Kerala’s Vidarsa K Vinod finished third close behind on 622.0, rounding off a tightly contested podium.

The National Selection Trials are a key platform for shooters aiming to secure places in upcoming international competitions, with strong performances on the opening day setting the tone for the rest of the meet.