Shooting is a recreational activity as well as a competitive sport. It is the activity of shooting a bullet with a gun or a pistol. Fire arms are used to shoot the bullets. Initially, shooting was exclusively a hunting activity. It was also used extensively by the soldiers. Shooting is a sport played people of all ages. It is a recognized Olympic sport. Germans were the first to establish shooting clubs. Target shooting is a popular sport in many countries.

Shooting has been a part of the Olympics since the inaugural edition. The founder of the modern Olympics was himself a shooting champion. Shooting has a long history in the Olympics since then. In the inaugural edition only three Olympics shooting events were included. Currently, there are as many as 15 shooting events which are a part of the Olympics. Winning the Olympic gold is the dream of all the professional shooters. The firearms used in the Olympics include pistols and rifles. The Olympic shooting events are divided into various categories including rifle, shotgun, running target, and pistol. Totally, 39 gold medals are at stake from 17 shooting events. Events are held for both men and women. There are various events depending on the distance of the target. There are 10 meter air pistol event both for men and women, 10 meter air rifle event for men and women, and 50 meter air rifle events for men and women. The object of shooting is to hit the target in the middle of the rings and score as many points as possible. The International Shooting Sport Federation is the governing body of the shooting tournaments around the world. Olympic shooting has a long heritage, history and prestige involved with its. The game of shooting attracts thousands of participants from different countries of the world. Apart from the Olympics, the other premier shooting competitions include the World Shooting Championship, Shooting World Cup, and Commonwealth Shooting Championship. Prestigious regional shooting tournaments include Asian Games and European Shooting Championship.

The game of Shooting requires extreme levels of concentration and focus. Body balance and posture are two more traits essential for a successful shooter. Good shooters also have a steady hand. Correct techniques help the shooter to concentrate on the target. Regular practice is a must for professional shooters. Competitive shooting is a serious affair and requires proper planning and strategies. Shooting is an expensive sport and not everyone can hope to become a champion shooters. It is easier for the personals from the armed forces to practice as they are allowed to use the military facilities. Olympic shooting has an interesting history of the triumph of the human spirit. The most extraordinary shooter in the Olympic shooting history was a Hungarian gentleman named Karoly Takacs. He was a right hander from birth. During an Olympic event in 1938, a grenade exploded in his right hand. In spite of that, he started practicing with his left hand and 10 years later, came back to win two golds.