Shooter Maheshwari Chauhan Draws on Paris Lessons Ahead of Asian Games Debut

Indian shotgun shooter Maheshwari Chauhan is drawing on her historic Paris 2024 Olympics experience as she prepares to make her Asian Games debut at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

The 30-year-old Rajasthan shooter is currently part of a preparatory camp for India’s trap and skeet teams at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. Sanctioned by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the camp will continue until August 18 and features 12 shooters, with six each from the skeet and trap teams.

SAI has provided financial assistance to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to organise the camp, covering boarding and lodging, travel, range facilities, ammunition and consumables, coaching and support staff.

Chauhan and Anantjeet Singh Naruka finished fourth in the mixed team skeet event at the Paris Olympics, missing the bronze medal by just one point. Their performance was historic as they became the first Indian pair to reach an Olympic skeet final.

Chauhan said she intends to approach her Asian Games debut with the same mindset she brings to every competition, focusing on the process rather than the stature of the event.

"My actual expectation (from my debut Asian Games) is to really just be very present and enjoy myself. The titles keep changing and the process and the approach stays the same," she told SAI Media.

A Khelo India Athlete, Chauhan said her Olympic experience has provided a strong foundation and greater confidence. She added that the disappointment of narrowly missing a medal continues to motivate her to work harder and push herself further.

The skeet team comprises Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Raiza Dhillon and Maheshwari Chauhan.

The trap team features Kynan Chenai, Neeru Dhanda, Ahvar Rizvi, Manisha Keer, Shapath Bharadwaj and Aashima Ahlawat.