Rajeshwari Kumari: All You Need to Know About Her Background, Career, Family, Personal Life

Rajeshwari Ria Kumari was born on December 10, 1991, in Delhi, India. She was introduced to the sport early, coming from a family with a legacy in shooting. From a young age, she has honed her skills through dedication and training.

She has had a successful career in women’s shooting, having represented the country at some of the most prestigious shooting tournaments. She has also won medals at both domestic and international competitions.

Photo: Rajeshwari Kumari/Instagram

Early Life and Education

Rajeshwari competes in women’s trap events. She attended university at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies and is also a fashion designer with her own brand.

Shooting Career

Kumari began her trap shooting career before 2014 and has since achieved significant milestones. In November 2014, she won a bronze medal at the National Shotgun Championship in Patiala, followed by a silver medal at the National Shooting Championships in New Delhi in February 2015.

During the 63rd National Shotgun Shooting Championship in 2019, Kumari set a national record with a score of 118 out of 125 in qualifications and secured a silver medal. In 2021, she won gold at the Asian Online Shooting Championship in New Delhi and silver in the team trap event at the ISSF World Cup in Cairo, teaming with Kirti Gupta and Manisha Keer.

In 2022, Kumari started training under Czech Olympic medallist David Kostelecký. Despite scoring the highest in the qualification round at the National Shooting Championships, she lost in the semifinals.

In March 2023, she finished 46th at the Doha ISSF World Cup and won the T3 Shotgun National Selection Trials in April. She placed 14th at the Cairo ISSF World Cup in May and qualified for the delayed 2022 Asian Games in June after shooting a score of 111 at the National Shotgun Selection Trials in Bhopal.

In August 2023, Kumari finished fifth at the ISSF World Championship in Baku, securing a quota place for India in the Women's trap event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She became the second Indian woman to win an Olympic quota in this event.

In October 2023, she won a silver medal in the Women's trap team event at the Asian Games and finished seventh at the Asian Shooting Championships in Seoul. She also won gold at the 2023 National Games of India in November.

By March 2024, Kumari had qualified for the Women's trap event at the Paris Olympics and was selected for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) to aid her Olympic preparations.

Family Life

Rajeshwari Kumari comes from a prominent family with a rich sports and business heritage. Her father, Randhir Singh, is a former shooter and sports administrator, while her mother, Vinita Singh, is a businesswoman.

Rajeshwari is the granddaughter of Bhalindra Singh, a former first-class cricketer, and Vipin Khanna, a noted businessman. She is also the great-granddaughter of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, a cricket player, and Shanti Lal Khanna, an Indian businessman and doctor.

This illustrious lineage has influenced Rajeshwari's journey in sports. Growing up with a former shooter father and a cricket-playing grandfather, she was immersed in a competitive environment from an early age. The family's achievements in both sports and business have provided her with a strong foundation, contributing to her success in trap shooting.

Personal Life

Rajeshwari Kumari, renowned for her prowess in trap shooting, leads a multifaceted personal life that extends beyond the shooting range. Alongside her sporting achievements, she co-founded Saurab Rajeshwari, a distinguished Indian luxury clothing and embroidery brand established in 2021. This entrepreneurial venture highlights her creative interests and commitment to promoting Indian craftsmanship.

In her personal life, Rajeshwari is married to Mehtab Singh, with whom she tied the knot in 2013.

Achievements and Recognition

Rajeshwari Kumari has excelled in trap shooting, securing notable achievements at both national and international levels. Her career highlights include silver medals at the National Shotgun Championship in Patiala (2014) and the National Shooting Championships in New Delhi (2015), where she also set a national record with 118 out of 125 in qualifications during the 63rd National Shotgun Shooting Championship in 2019.

Internationally, Rajeshwari clinched gold at the Asian Online Shooting Championship in New Delhi (2021) and a silver at the 2021 ISSF World Cup in Cairo, Egypt, in the team trap event. Her standout moment came in 2023 when she earned an Olympic quota for India in the Women's trap event at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics after finishing fifth at the ISSF World Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Recognizing her potential, Rajeshwari was selected for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' (MYAS) Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) in April 2024. This initiative supports her journey to excel at the Olympic Games, affirming her status as a leading athlete in Indian trap shooting.

Salary & Income

In 2021, Rajeshwari Kumari co-founded Saurab Rajeshwari, a luxury Indian clothing and embroidery brand specializing in traditional Patiala style, in collaboration with her childhood friend Saurabh Aggarwal. The brand is known for its handmade clothing and has gained prominence, with Bollywood actress Preity Zinta among its notable patrons. In December 2022, Kumari featured in Jasbir Jassi's song 'Lehenga,' marking a collaboration between Jassi and Saurab Rajeshwari.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports provided full support, covering her training expenses in the Czech Republic with her coach Kostelecký, as well as in Italy and France, underscoring her preparation for the prestigious event.

Future Prospects

In 2024, Kumari was ranked as the 9th best women's trap shooter in the world. Looking forward to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Rajeshwari is primed for a pivotal role. As part of India's shotgun team, she will aim to capitalize on her achievements and secure medals. With her focus and experience in trap shooting, she is poised to make a significant impact, aiming to elevate India's presence on the global stage.