Veteran Shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan Aims for Asian Games Glory at 50
Mairaj Ahmad Khan: A Veteran's Journey
At the age of 50, Mairaj Ahmad Khan stands as one of the most seasoned members of the Indian team preparing for the 2026 Asian Games. Despite his age, the accomplished shooter remains determined to secure his first medal at the Asiad, maintaining a calm and focused mindset.
Mairaj shared his philosophy with SAI Media, stating, "Every athlete hopes to win, but I believe it's beneficial to enter competitions with lower expectations. When you focus on the present rather than future outcomes, you can perform better in the moment."
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Mairaj, who made history as the first Indian skeet shooter to qualify for the Olympics in Rio 2016, emphasized the importance of their training camp at the Dr. Karni Singh Range (KSSR). He noted, "We are well-prepared for the Asian Games, with a dedicated team including strength coaches, physiotherapists, and our foreign coach Riccardo Filippelli. This camp is crucial for our success, and I believe it will pay off at the Games, Inshallah."
Currently, Mairaj is part of a 15-day training camp for shotgun shooters, which will conclude on September 14. The camp includes 12 shooters, with six focusing on trap and six on skeet, including Mairaj. The shotgun events are set to commence on September 21 at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery in Toyota City, Japan.
Having started his shooting career in 1994, Mairaj Ahmad Khan is a prominent figure in Indian shotgun sports. He anticipates a promising future for the sport in India over the next four years, stating, "Both skeet and trap shooting have shown significant improvement, and I believe they will continue to excel in the future."
Mairaj's extensive career spans over three decades, and he appreciates the support he receives in his athletic journey. He remarked, "The initiatives by the Indian Government, the Sports Ministry, and SAI, including programs like Khelo India, are vital for the next generation of athletes. We lacked such opportunities in our time, which may have hindered our chances at Olympic and World Cup medals. However, the future looks bright for the Indian team in trap, skeet, and other shooting disciplines."