A Perth teenager who first picked up a 10m air pistol just two years ago is already making his mark on the national shooting stage, collecting medals and setting his sights on representing Australia in international competition.
Samarthy Sangwan recently won a silver medal at the 2026 Target Pistol Australia ISSF National Championships in the 10m Air Pistol Junior Mixed Teams event. Competing alongside Harper Floyd and Aimee Walker, he helped secure a podium finish against some of the country’s leading junior shooters.
The result adds to a growing list of achievements for the young athlete, who has emerged as one of Western Australia’s promising talents in the sport.
Samarthy was crowned the 2026 Western Australia Junior Men State Champion in the 10m air pistol discipline and also claimed bronze in the Western Australia Senior Men State Championship, competing against experienced adult shooters.
His rise has been particularly rapid. Having started training at the Rhein Donau Pistol Club in Perth only two years ago, he has progressed from a beginner to a national medallist in a relatively short period.
That progress was recognised in 2025 when he was selected to attend the Junior National Camp in Canberra, where he trained alongside some of Australia’s best young shooters under the guidance of elite coaches. The camp forms part of the national development pathway aimed at identifying and nurturing future representatives.
Rhein Donau Pistol Club captain Murray Bow praised Samarthy’s performances across the past year and highlighted his consistency in both junior and open competitions.
Bow said the teenager had produced strong results throughout 2025 and carried that form into lead up events and the 2026 Junior and Open State Championships. He described the experience as valuable for a young athlete continuing to develop within the sport.
Behind the achievements is a strong support network at home. Parents Sunaina and Praveen Sangwan said they were proud of their son’s commitment and determination, and remain dedicated to helping him access the training, equipment and opportunities needed to continue improving.
With national medals already to his name, Samarthy’s ambitions extend well beyond state and national competition. He hopes to one day wear the green and gold at ISSF World Cups, World Championships, the Commonwealth Games and ultimately the Olympic Games.
While those goals remain in the future, his recent results suggest he has already established a solid foundation in a sport where precision, discipline and consistency are essential for success.
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