JAMMU: In a moment of pride for India and Jammu & Kashmir, Abhay Gupta, a professional sports shooter hailing from Jammu, delivered a commendable performance at the 4th MASPED Cup held in Budapest, Hungary, finishing 6th in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event and 15th in the 25m Standard Pistol event, competing among Olympic-level athletes from across the Globe.

In the 25m Centre Fire category, Abhay started strong, leading the rankings from the very beginning and holding the top gold medal spot until the final round.

In a nail-biting finish, a single-point difference in the last series pushed him from the leading position to 6th overall, still securing a remarkable place among the best.

His performance drew widespread applause and appreciation from international peers, many of whom noted his calm presence, technical mastery, and sportsmanship on the field.

The event saw participation from Olympic medalists and European champions, making Abhay's ranking all the more impressive. "The experience was deeply humbling.

Competing alongside Olympic medalists and holding the lead for most of the match was proof that our training is moving in the right direction," said Abhay after the match.

Abhay is training under the guidance of Jaspal Rana, a legend in Indian shooting.

Speaking about his student, Rana said, "Abhay is showing the right mindset and maturity. His performance in Budapest was strong and composed. We are very proud of him - this is just the beginning, and together we're planning a much bigger road ahead."

Abhay is currently undergoing intensive training between Delhi and Dehradun, with full- time dedication to his sport. He has emerged as one of the promising faces of shooting from the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.