The veteran marksman showcased remarkable precision and composure, adding three gold medals to a shooting career that began when he was just five years old.
Hyderabad: Veteran shooter Nawab Shafath Ali Khan has proved that age is no barrier to excellence by winning three gold medals at the age of 69.
Khan secured the medals at the recently concluded 300-metre Big Bore State Shooting Championship and Elite Big Bore Championship, held from August 16 to 21 at the Octopus Greyhound Shooting Range in Ibrahimpatnam.
He emerged victorious in three events: the 300-metre peep-sight rifle, 50-metre telescopic rifle and open single rifle super big bore competitions.
The championship featured the Telangana Big Bore Shooting Competitions 2026, the Deccan Elite Open Big Bore Grand Prix and the 2nd Telangana Super Big Bore Open Shooting Competition.
Organised by the Telangana State Rifle Association, the event attracted nearly 400 shooters from across India, including around 20 women participants.
Mohammed Abdul Razak Hussain won a silver medal, while Mohammed Mustafa Khan, former Director General of Police Anjani Kumar and Amit Sanghi secured bronze medals in their respective events. Sartaj Fatima claimed both gold and silver medals, while the youngest participant, Raza Ali Khan, also won gold.
A Remarkable Shooting Journey
Shafath Ali Khan’s association with shooting began at an exceptionally young age. He won his first prize at the Madras State Shooting Championship when he was only five years old.
At 11, he secured his first National Games gold medal in shooting. Nearly six decades later, he continues to demonstrate the discipline, concentration and accuracy that have defined his sporting career.
His latest victories are not merely additions to his trophy collection. They also represent a family tradition connected to shooting, forests, wildlife management and public service.
Book Celebrates Five Generations
The championship also witnessed the release of Khan’s coffee table book, 5 Generations of Glorious Shooting.
Published by the Mediaplus Foundation, the 60-page book documents his family’s long-standing connection with shooting, forests and wildlife. It features photographs and stories related to tracking, wildlife rescue operations, forest expeditions and human-wildlife conflict management.
The book also highlights the patience, scientific understanding and quick decision-making required during challenging wildlife operations. It aims to offer readers a clearer understanding of the responsibility and skill involved in protecting both people and animals.
A Legacy Spanning Generations
The family legacy traces back to Khan’s grandfather, Nawab Sultan Ali Khan Bahadur, and his father, Nawab Arshad Ali Khan, whose passion for forests and wildlife became an important part of the family’s identity.
His maternal great-grandfather, Nawab Fakhrul Mulk Bahadur, reportedly played a pioneering role in introducing shooting competitions in India in 1877. He was also a tutor to the sixth Nizam, Mir Mehboob Ali Khan, and introduced him to firearms and hunting.
The tradition now continues through Shafath Ali Khan’s son, Asghar Ali Khan, and his grandson, Arshad Ali Khan Junior, who is currently training in skeet shooting.
“I have inherited the love of wildlife and knowledge of flora and fauna from my ancestors,” Khan said.
Beyond Competitive Shooting
Shafath Ali Khan’s expertise extends far beyond sporting competitions. He is known for handling dangerous wildlife situations that require the tranquilisation of animals entering human settlements.
Such operations demand accuracy, patience, a deep understanding of animal behaviour and the ability to make critical decisions within seconds. His work often involves balancing wildlife conservation with public safety.
At 69, his three gold medals stand as a symbol of lifelong discipline, perseverance and passion. From winning his first shooting prize at five to returning to the podium more than six decades later, Shafath Ali Khan’s journey remains an inspiring example of dedication across generations.
