Asian Games Gold: How Haryana Shooters Kamaljeet And Suruchi Turned Different Beginnings Into A Historic Win

September 25, 2026

Nagoya: Haryana’s Kamaljeet and Suruchi have scripted a memorable chapter in Indian shooting at the ongoing 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, winning gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.

The pair from Rewari and Jhajjar respectively finished on top with a combined score of 484.6 points, securing India’s second gold medal at the Games. South Korea won silver with 478.0 points, while Iran took bronze with 415.8 points.

Their journeys to the Asian Games podium, however, did not begin with shooting. Suruchi’s family initially wanted her to pursue kabaddi, while Kamaljeet had dreamed of becoming an athlete before an injury forced him to change sports.

Kamaljeet Switched From Athletics To Shooting After Injury

Kamaljeet, a native of Rewari, comes from a middle-class family and initially wanted to become a runner. His sporting journey took a different turn in 2019, when he suffered a serious injury during training at the age of 15.

After the setback, Kamaljeet took up pistol shooting in the same year. The transition was challenging, particularly because shooting involves considerable expenses related to equipment, competition fees, travel and ammunition.

The financial pressure was at one stage so significant that Kamaljeet considered quitting the sport. However, his parents and uncle used their savings to support his sporting ambitions. A shooting coach from his village also played an important role, training him from the basics.

From 50m Pistol To 10m Air Pistol Success

Kamaljeet initially began making his mark in the 50m pistol event before developing his skills in the 10m air pistol.

His progress on the international stage included a gold medal at the ISSF Junior World Championship in 2023, followed by a silver medal at the Asian Championship.

With support from the National Rifle Association of India and the Sports Authority of India, Kamaljeet subsequently earned a place in the senior national team.

His journey from an aspiring athlete to an Asian Games gold medallist has now become one of the notable stories from India’s shooting campaign.

Suruchi Started Shooting At 13, Travelled By Train To Academy

Suruchi Inder Singh Phogat hails from Sasroli village in Jhajjar district. She began her shooting journey at the age of 13 and would travel by train with her father and brothers from Sasroli to a shooting academy in Bhiwani.

Her family had initially wanted her to become a kabaddi player, but shooting eventually became her chosen sport.

Now 20, Suruchi has a junior world record and multiple ISSF World Cup gold medals to her name. Her Asian Games triumph sparked celebrations in Sasroli, where residents have previously celebrated her achievements on the international stage.

Jhajjar Celebrates Suruchi’s Asian Games Gold

The gold medal brought celebrations to Suruchi’s family and village, while officials in Jhajjar also hailed her achievement.

District Sports Officer Shatendra Kumar congratulated Suruchi and said it was a matter of joy and pride for the entire district that a daughter from an ordinary family had won an international gold medal.

He said Suruchi’s achievement would encourage other athletes in Jhajjar and inspire them to pursue excellence in sports.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini also congratulated both Kamaljeet and Suruchi on their Asian Games success, saying their achievement had made the nation proud.

The duo’s gold medal not only added to India’s medal tally but also highlighted the different paths through which two young shooters from Haryana reached the Asian Games podium.