‘Aur achha ho sakta tha’: Mairaj Ahmad Khan after Indian skeet team’s record medal haul at 2026 Asian Games

Mairaj Ahmad Khan (Image credit: Agencies) NEW DELHI: Indian skeet shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan believes India’s historic three-medal streak in skeet at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has created a strong platform for the Los Angeles Olympics. Mairaj, who was part of the bronze-winning men’s skeet team, felt India could have done better and believed the team had a chance to win the gold.India won medals in all three skeet team events over two days, with the men’s team, women’s team and mixed team finishing on the podium.For Mairaj, the men’s team bronze was his first Asian Games medal. It previously competed at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Asian Games before returning to the continental event in 2026.Mairaj already has three gold medals from the World Championships – in New Delhi 2021, Changwon 2022 and Cairo 2023. He also has a silver from Rio de Janeiro 2016 and a bronze from Cairo 2021.In addition, he has one gold, two silver and three bronze medals in the Asian Championship.When Mairaj looks back on her individual performance at the Asian Games, fatigue also played a role.“There was no hunger in the individual competition. I think I was a bit tired. I was relaxed, mentally tired, overworked. Maybe the calendar is so busy,” Mairaj told TimesofIndia.com from Japan.Mairaj felt the team could have ended up with the gold, but said there would be more opportunities for improvement with the World Championships and Asian Championships approaching.“Aur achha ho sakta tha. We could have won the gold medal. The stage was set but no problem, next time,” Mairaj said of the team’s bronze finish.

Proud of Anantjeet and Parinaaz

Mairaj was particularly pleased with the performances of Anantjeet and Parinaaz in the mixed team event. He said he was proud of the way the two shooters performed and saw his medal as part of a larger process.The men’s skeet team of Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Mairaj and Bhavtegh Singh Gill won bronze on Wednesday. The trio finished with 346 points and went on to win over Kazakhstan in a shootout to secure third place.Later in the day, Raiza Dhillon, Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Maheshwari Chauhan also won bronze in the women’s team event, giving India its first ever Asian Games medal in women’s skeet.On Thursday, Anantjeet and Parinaaz added another bronze in the mixed team event, bringing India medals in skeet in all three team events.“I am really proud of the way Anant and Parinaaz performed. Together we are building a team for the LA Olympics,” he said.

‘I won’t stop’

Mairaj was clear that the journey does not end with medals from the Asian Games.He said he remains focused on improving and continuing to fight for the Los Angeles Olympics. According to him, the dream of winning gold has not changed.“I’m not going to stop. Ever since I picked up the gun, I felt I could have done better. I made a few mistakes,” he said.“The fight for the LA Olympics continues. Gold was a dream and will remain a dream,” said Mairaj.