Maheshwari Chauhan Celebrates Historic Bronze for Women's Skeet Team at Asian Games 2026

Reflecting on a Historic Achievement

Indian shooter Maheshwari Chauhan expressed her gratitude for the support received after the women's skeet team secured a historic bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026. She emphasized that while they are thankful for the recognition, there is still much more to accomplish.

A Historic First

Chauhan, along with teammates Raiza Dhillon and Parinaaz Dhaliwal, achieved third place in the women's skeet team event with a total score of 331. Dhaliwal and Dhillon each scored 111 out of 125, while Chauhan contributed 109. This medal marks India's inaugural achievement in the women's skeet team event at the Asian Games. Chauhan expressed pride in their teamwork and acknowledged the significance of this milestone, stating, "We are thrilled to return with this medal, which is a first for women's skeet at the Asian Games."

Looking Ahead to LA 2028

Chauhan reflected on the competition in Japan, noting it was a valuable experience for the shooters. She has already set her sights on the upcoming LA Olympics in 2028, stating, "The competition was intense, and it was a great opportunity to test our skills. My focus is now on preparing for LA 2028."

NRAI's Perspective: A Stepping Stone for LA 2028

Dr. Pierre Beauchamp, the High-Performance Director of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), shared insights on India's shooting performance at the Games. He highlighted the importance of the Asian Games as a platform for shooters to experience high-pressure situations ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics. "We used this event as a stepping stone for LA 2028, and it was a valuable experience for all our athletes," he remarked.

Developing a 'Gold Medal' Mindset

Beauchamp emphasized the need to cultivate a winning mindset among athletes, focusing on aiming for gold and enhancing India's overall medal count. He stated, "My priority is to ensure our athletes are competing for gold and maximizing our medal tally in every competition."

Eyeing Olympic Quotas at Doha World Championships

India's shooting team concluded the Asian Games 2026 with a total of 15 medals: three gold, eight silver, and four bronze. This performance fell short of the 22 medals won at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Beauchamp acknowledged the need for athletes to mature and improve, while also outlining the team's immediate goal of securing Olympic quota places at the World Championships in Doha, scheduled from October 29 to November 15. "We are looking to maximize our quota positions for LA 2028," he added.