Parinaaz Dhaliwal's Remarkable Journey at the Asian Games 2026

A Rollercoaster of Emotions for Parinaaz Dhaliwal

Indian skeet shooter Parinaaz Dhaliwal experienced a whirlwind of emotions during the Asian Games 2026, marked by a historic team medal and the letdown of not securing an individual podium finish, followed by a second bronze that allowed her to conclude the Games on a positive note.

Historic Team Achievement

Dhaliwal's journey began with a groundbreaking achievement as she played a pivotal role in helping India clinch its inaugural Asian Games medal in the women's skeet team event. Alongside teammates Raiza Dhillon and Maheshwari Chauhan, the trio secured third place with a total score of 331. Both Dhaliwal and Dhillon contributed 111 points each from a possible 125, while Chauhan added 109.

Individual Challenge

Following the team's success, Dhaliwal faced a challenging moment in the individual event. After qualifying for the women's individual skeet final with 111 hits out of 125, she finished eighth in the final, hitting only eight targets before being eliminated, thus missing out on an individual medal.

Turning Disappointment into Success

Instead of dwelling on her individual setback, Dhaliwal focused on learning from her mistakes. She returned to the range for the mixed team event alongside Anantjeet Singh Naruka. Reflecting on her experience, she stated, "I recognized the errors I made in my individual final and aimed to avoid repeating them. We fought hard until the end, and although our score matched that of the silver medalists, we had to settle for bronze based on the rules. Nonetheless, we felt grateful and happy."

Securing a Second Bronze

In the mixed team final, Dhaliwal and Naruka achieved a total of 44 hits across six series, earning them the bronze medal. China claimed gold with a world-record score of 52, while South Korea took silver with 51. The Indian duo's score of 44 tied with South Korea, but they secured bronze based on their qualification ranking.

A Grand Homecoming

The two bronze medals led to a memorable welcome for Dhaliwal upon her return to Delhi. She expressed her gratitude, saying, "I feel overwhelmed. I've never experienced such a grand welcome. I'm back home with two medals, and I feel truly blessed."

Inspiring Future Generations

Looking ahead, Dhaliwal shared an encouraging message for aspiring young female athletes, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. "If you dream of winning an Olympic gold, you must fight through tough conditions and give your best, regardless of the circumstances," she advised.

Plans for the Future

Now back home with her two medals, Dhaliwal intends to relax and spend quality time with her family before shifting her focus to the upcoming ISSF World Championship in Doha, Qatar, scheduled from November 1 to 14, where Olympic quota places for the Los Angeles 2028 Games will be contested. "I plan to unwind, enjoy some good food, and spend time with my family before preparing for the World Championship," she shared.

Family Pride

The significance of Dhaliwal's achievements resonated deeply with her family, who have witnessed her dedication over the years. Her mother, Rajan Dhaliwal, expressed immense pride, stating, "This is a proud moment for our family; her hard work has paid off." Her father, Rattandeep Dhaliwal, reflected on the years of commitment and the challenges faced during training, saying, "I am incredibly proud of her dedication and hard work. It feels amazing to see her achieve this after so many years."

Conclusion

From making history in the women's skeet team event to overcoming the disappointment of an individual finish, Dhaliwal's campaign at the Asian Games concluded with two bronze medals, showcasing her resilience and determination.