Brampton marksman becomes only the second Canadian to win the Governor General’s Prize and Canadian Gold Cross Grand Aggregate at the same championship
Indian-origin rifle shooter Avtar Nanrey has made history in Canada after winning two of the country’s major national fullbore shooting titles at the same championship.
The Brampton, Ontario-based marksman secured the Governor General’s Prize and the Canadian Gold Cross Grand Aggregate at the 142nd Canadian Fullbore National Championship, held in August 2026.
His achievement makes him only the second Canadian to win both titles at a single national championship, according to Canadian rifle records and reports by The Australia Today.
Nanrey recorded a Grand Aggregate score of 691.65 and dropped just one point in the Governor General’s Prize. The results marked the biggest achievement of his competitive shooting career.
A sporting journey that began in India
Nanrey’s shooting career began in 2005, when he joined the Army Cadets in India. He won a cadet championship in his first competition before stepping away from the sport after 2007.
He returned to competitive shooting in Canada in 2021, following a 14-year break. Support from the Ontario Rifle Association helped him resume serious competition.
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Nanrey made an immediate impression, winning almost all his matches in the Expert classification during his first year back
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He moved into the Master’s class the following year and continued to make progress
In 2023, he finished second in both the Lieutenant Governor’s match and the Grand Aggregate. In 2026, he also won the Lieutenant Governor’s Prize at the Ontario championship, building momentum ahead of the national event.
Precision and persistence
Fullbore rifle shooting requires concentration, accuracy and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. Competitors must account for wind, distance, sight alignment and rifle control across a series of demanding matches.
Nanrey’s national double reflects consistent performance rather than success in a single event.
Outside shooting, he works as a software architect with IBM Canada. His journey from Army Cadets in India to the highest level of Canadian rifle competition highlights the determination and sustained effort behind his historic 2026 season.
