Maheshwari Chauhan disappointed despite India’s historic bronze in skeet. Here’s why

Olympian Maheshwari Chauhan helped India create history at the Asian Games on Wednesday, but a bronze in the women’s team skeet left her disappointed. India had never before won a medal in women’s skeet at the Asian Games, with Maheshwari, Raiza Dhillon and Parinaaz Dhaliwal combining for a score of 331 to finish third.

For Maheshwari, 30, the medal was a landmark achievement but she felt the trio had the form to finish higher. However, her disappointment was balanced by the belief that the historic result could be the start of a larger rise in women’s shotgun shooting in India.

“I’m a little disappointed that (the team medal) isn’t of a better color, but it’s better to finish on the podium,” Maheshwari said. “It is the first ever Asian Games skeet medal.

The trio have arrived in strong form, Maheshwari and Raiza both Olympians, while Parinaaz has emerged as one of the younger names in India’s shotgun set-up.

Maheshwari believes bronze can serve as a springboard for better results.

“I think we’re in great shape,” she said. “I really hope we go away with a few more medals (from the Asian Games in men’s and women’s trap shooting). I think it’s just a stepping stone to better podium finishes and better opportunities for better competition.”

MAHESHWARI SEES FIRING FROM THE ENTRANCE BLOCKS

Maheshwari’s optimism stems from the changing landscape of Indian shotgun shooting. While rifle and pistol have traditionally had more depth and international success, he believes shotgun is now creating a stronger group of athletes, especially among women.

“I really feel like that was because we didn’t have enough high-performance sportsmen and not enough sportswomen to begin with,” she said. “And the level of competition that the rifle has at the domestic level is second to none.

According to her, the current generation is also younger and better prepared.

“Today, the shotgun crowd is much younger and everyone is at a much higher technical quality and level,” Maheshwari said. “I feel like you’re going to see a lot more shotguns doing better overall.

MAHESHWARI CREDITS TO STRONGER FUNDAMENTALS

After spending about a decade in the sport, Maheshwari has seen a sea change in the way young shooters develop. He believes that better technical, nutritional and psychological training helps athletes reach a higher level much sooner.

“The biggest advantage is the level at which Indians are now starting their training,” she said. “I remember when I started, the domestic level wasn’t at a great level. We didn’t have the right kind of technical preparation, nutritional preparation, psychological preparation.”

She also pointed to the broader improvement of India’s sports ecosystem.

“The results are better and will only get better. The schemes are better. The whole infrastructure for sports is better in India,” she said. “I’ve been in the game for 10 years. And it’s night and day for me.”

Maheshwari’s season is now over after missing out on selection for the World Cup. He plans to take a short break before starting the next Olympic cycle with the domestic season in December.

Meanwhile, the historic bronze gave Indian women’s skeet their first Asian Games medal and a stronger platform for the next generation to build on.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

23 Sep 2026 18:28 IST