Mairaj Ahmad Khan Secures Bronze in Men's Team Skeet at Asian Games 2026

Mairaj Ahmad Khan's Historic Achievement

On September 23, veteran Indian skeet shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan, alongside teammates Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Bhavtegh Singh Gill, earned a bronze medal in the men's team event at the Asian Games 2026.

Despite narrowly missing an individual medal, Mairaj's impressive score of 116 points was crucial in leading the Indian team to victory over Kazakhstan in a tense shoot-off, thereby enhancing India's shooting medal tally.

A Milestone in Mairaj's Career

This bronze medal marks Mairaj's first at the Asian Games, adding a significant achievement to his 23-year career in international shooting. His performance in the shoot-off against Kazakhstan was a testament to his skill and composure.

From Cricket to Shooting: Mairaj's Journey

Before establishing himself as a prominent shooter, Mairaj Ahmad Khan had a budding cricket career. Originating from Uttar Pradesh, he captained the UP U-16 team and participated in notable domestic tournaments such as the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and C.K. Nayudu Trophy.

While studying at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi, he had the opportunity to bat alongside the legendary Virender Sehwag. In a memorable inter-university match against Punjab, Sehwag scored 78 runs while Mairaj contributed 19 runs, setting the stage for a remarkable win.

Mairaj Reflects on His Cricketing Past

Mairaj fondly recalls his time with Sehwag, noting that his former partner played just one match for their university team before advancing to higher levels of cricket. While Mairaj transitioned to shooting, Sehwag's cricketing career skyrocketed, making their shared history a fascinating aspect of Indian sports.

Transitioning to Shooting

Mairaj Ahmad Khan made the switch from cricket to shooting in his mid-20s, realizing that achieving success in cricket would be challenging. Unlike Sehwag, who was on the fast track to fame, Mairaj chose to pursue shooting, a sport deeply rooted in his family.

Coming from a well-off family in Khurja, Uttar Pradesh, Mairaj was surrounded by shooting, as his father, brother, and uncles were all state-level competitors. He began focusing on shooting in 1999, eventually excelling in skeet after a breakthrough victory in Chennai.

A Decorated Career

Throughout his illustrious career, Mairaj has secured numerous accolades, including three golds, a silver, and a bronze at the World Cup, as well as multiple medals at the Asian Shooting Championships and Commonwealth Shooting Championships. His recent bronze at the Asian Games adds to his impressive collection.

Mairaj also represented India at the 2016 and 2021 Olympics in Rio and Tokyo, respectively, solidifying his status as a trailblazer in Indian skeet shooting.