Indian Shooters Shine at Asian Games 2026, Eye Olympic Glory
Celebrating Success at the Asian Games
Indian shooters Himanshu Dhillon and Raiza Dhillon shared their excitement over their medal achievements at the 2026 Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya. They are now focused on securing medals at the upcoming LA Olympics. The shooting team was warmly welcomed back at the New Delhi airport on Friday night.
Himanshu's Silver Medals and Aspirations
Himanshu Dhillon returned with two silver medals, one from the men's individual 10m air rifle event and another from the team event alongside Rudrankksh Patil and Parth Mane. He expressed his joy in winning for India and highlighted the strong support among teammates during competitions. Himanshu aims for medals at the World Championships and the Olympics, stating, "It feels great to bring home two silver medals for my country. We cheer for each other, and it feels wonderful when we all succeed together."
Record-Breaking Performance
He also commended Kamaljeet and Suruchi Singh for their gold medal in the mixed team 10m air pistol event, which marked India's second gold at the Games. The duo achieved a remarkable score of 484.6 points, surpassing South Korea's 478.0 points and breaking the previous Asian record of 481.3 points set by Uzbekistan earlier this year. Despite individual performances not meeting expectations, they redeemed themselves by setting a new record.
Raiza Dhillon's Hard Work Pays Off
Raiza Dhillon, a member of the women's skeet team, won a bronze medal alongside Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Maheshwari Chauhan. She credited their success to rigorous preparation and the unwavering support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). Raiza expressed pride in her team's efforts, stating, "We worked hard for this medal and received excellent support, which contributed to our performance. Everyone in the team deserves this win, and we are proud of each other."
Looking Ahead to the Olympics
Raiza also acknowledged the significance of Kamaljeet and Suruchi's gold medal, emphasizing the pride the team feels for their achievement. She stated, "This gold is a major milestone for us, and we are thrilled for them. Our next goal is to win medals at the Olympics."
Coach Cheema's Optimism
Amrinder Singh Cheema, the coach of the Indian skeet team, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance at the Asian Games and conveyed optimism for the future. He remarked, "I am very pleased with our podium finishes. We are performing well, and I am confident about what lies ahead."
India's Medal Tally
As of now, India has secured a total of 23 medals at the Asian Games, which includes two gold, nine silver, and twelve bronze medals, with shooting contributing significantly to this tally.