American shooter Jeff Browning has credited nearly two years of training in India for helping him capture the 10m air rifle title at the US National Championship. The experienced marksman returned to the United States last month after training at New Delhi’s Topgun Shooting Academy and secured the national crown within weeks, earning one of the country’s most prestigious shooting honours.
India training pays off with national success
Browning, who has been a competitive shooter since 2012, spent almost two years training at the Topgun Shooting Academy in New Delhi after relocating to India in 2023. During his stay, he worked extensively on his 10m air rifle shooting under the guidance of academy founder and former international shooter Shimon Sharif and the coaching staff.Representing the Virginia State team at the US National Championship in Camp Perry, Ohio, Browning won the coveted 10m air rifle event shortly after returning home. His victory also earned him the prestigious Leatherneck Trophy, one of the highest honours presented during the National Matches at Camp Perry.Speaking to PTI, Browning said the opportunity to continue training in India proved instrumental in helping him maintain and improve his competitive standards.“I had been a competitive shooter in the United States since 2012 and wanted to continue pursuing the sport while living in India. When I arrived in Delhi in the summer of 2023, Shimon Sharif and the coaches at Topgun Shooting Academy gave me the opportunity to train in the 10m air rifle.”Reflecting on his return to the United States and subsequent triumph, Browning added:“I returned to the United States last month, and within a month of my return, I won the U.S. National Championship. I am truly grateful to the academy for the training, guidance, and support I received during my time in India. The experience played an important role in helping me continue competing at the highest level.”
Academy also supported Olympic shooters during pandemic
Topgun Shooting Academy’s association with American shooting extends beyond Browning’s success.During the COVID-19 pandemic, when international travel and competitions were suspended, the New Delhi-based academy organised virtual shooting competitions that enabled elite athletes from around the world to remain competition-ready despite lockdowns.Those online events attracted several members of the United States Olympic shooting team as they prepared for the delayed Tokyo Olympics.Among the participants was William Shaner, who went on to win the men’s 10m air rifle gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Fellow American Lucas Kozeniesky, who later claimed silver in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the same Games, also competed in the academy’s virtual competitions.
Academy founder hails Browning’s achievement
Topgun Shooting Academy founder Shimon Sharif said Browning’s national title reflected the academy’s commitment to developing shooters from around the world.Speaking to PTI, Sharif said:“It’s a matter of immense pride for us to have contributed to the development of rifle shooters from several countries, including the United States.”He added that Browning’s achievement further validated the academy’s coaching philosophy.“Jeff Browning’s national title is another feather in our cap and reinforces our belief that quality coaching and a competitive training environment can help athletes perform at the highest level, regardless of where they come from.”
