Maheshwari Chauhan Aims for Success at Asian Games 2026 After Near Olympic Medal

Maheshwari Chauhan Prepares for Asian Games 2026

New Delhi, August 11: Maheshwari Chauhan, a prominent shotgun shooter from India, narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal at the Paris Games and is now focused on applying her experiences to the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in 2026.

The 30-year-old athlete is currently training at a preparatory camp for trap and skeet shooters at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.

As per a statement from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the camp, which is supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), includes 12 shooters—six from each of the skeet and trap teams—and will run until August 18.

SAI has allocated funds to the NRAI for the camp, covering expenses such as accommodation, travel, range access, ammunition, coaching, and other essential services.

In Paris, Maheshwari and her teammate Anantjeet Singh Naruka finished fourth in the mixed team skeet event, just one point shy of securing a bronze medal. This achievement marked a historic moment as they became the first Indian duo to reach the finals of an Olympic skeet event.

Reflecting on her journey, Maheshwari emphasized that her mindset remains consistent, regardless of the competition's prestige. Ahead of the Asian Games, she expressed her desire to be fully present and enjoy the experience.

"My main expectation for my debut at the Asian Games is to truly enjoy myself. I plan to maintain the same approach for any competition. While the titles may change, my process and mindset will remain constant," she shared with SAI Media during the camp.

The Rajasthan shooter, also recognized as a Khelo India Athlete (KIA), noted that her Olympic experience has bolstered her confidence and provided a solid foundation for future challenges.

"Participating in my first Olympic Games was unique, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it has given me a strong base to build upon. My goal is to learn from that experience as I move forward," she added.

Looking ahead to 2024, Maheshwari remarked, "The memories of that experience are unforgettable. They stay with you, fueling your motivation and desire to push yourself further."

The current training camp features the following Indian shotgun athletes selected for the Asian Games 2026: Skeet team – Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan. Trap team – Kynan Chenai, Neeru Dhanda, Ahvar Rizvi, Manisha Keer, Shapath Bharadwaj, Aashima Ahlawat.