Aichi-Nagoya, September 25: India have their second gold medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, and this time the golden moment has come from the shooting range.
Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet combined brilliantly to win the 10m air pistol mixed team gold, delivering a much-awaited breakthrough for India’s shooting contingent on Friday.
The Indian pair produced a commanding performance at the Aichi General Shooting Range, finishing with 484.6 points in the final to clinch the top spot. South Korea’s Suhyeon Hong and Gaeun Choo took silver with 478.0, while Iran won bronze with 415.8.
The victory also came with a record to underline the dominance of the Indian duo. Suruchi and Kamaljeet had earlier topped qualification with 587 points, matching the Asian record and setting a new Asian Games qualification record.
A much-needed golden moment
The gold was particularly significant for India’s shooting campaign, which had produced a string of silver and bronze medals but had been waiting for its first gold.
The mixed team event provided the answer.
Suruchi and Kamaljeet seized control early and maintained their advantage throughout the final. Even as South Korea attempted to close the gap, the Indian pair stayed composed to finish 6.6 points clear of their nearest challengers.
For India, the victory comes just days after shooting had begun its Asian Games campaign with medals but without the top prize. The mixed-team triumph now adds the sport’s first gold to India’s medal haul.
From disappointment to redemption
The road to gold was not entirely straightforward.
Both Suruchi and Kamaljeet had missed out on medals in their respective individual events. Their mixed-team campaign, however, told a completely different story.
The duo clicked immediately in qualification, producing a record-equalling score to top a field of 21 pairs and book their place in the four-team medal round.
They then carried that momentum into the final.
India’s second gold of the Games is therefore not merely another addition to the medal tally. It is also a statement from the shooting contingent that the fight for the top podium place is far from over.
India’s golden run continues
India’s first gold of the Aichi-Nagoya Games came in women’s T20 cricket, with the women’s team defeating Sri Lanka in the final.
Suruchi and Kamaljeet have now doubled India’s gold count.
And for a shooting squad that has already shown considerable depth across rifle and pistol events, Friday’s golden breakthrough could add further momentum as the competition enters its crucial phase.
India now have two gold medals at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 — and shooting has finally joined the gold-medal party.
