Asian Games 2026: Kamaljeet, Suruchi Strike Gold for India; One Overcame Injury, the Other Took Local Trains to Chase Her Dream

Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh Phogat delivered India's second gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, winning the mixed team 10m air pistol title at the Aichi General Shooting Range on Friday.

The Haryana duo produced a composed performance to finish with 484.6 points, defeating South Korea for gold and setting a new Asian Games record.

Their victory was particularly significant because both shooters had endured disappointing individual campaigns earlier in the Games. They responded by topping the mixed-team qualification with 587 points, equalling the Asian record, before maintaining their composure when the stakes were highest.

Kamaljeet: An injury that changed his sporting life

Born on August 22, 2003, Kamaljeet is from Rewari, Haryana. His sporting journey initially began in athletics, but an injury ended his ambitions on the track. Rather than leaving competitive sport, he turned to pistol shooting in 2019.

The transition was difficult. Coming from a middle-class family, Kamaljeet initially had to manage expenses for training, competitions and courses himself. His parents, however, continued supporting his ambitions. His coach, who is from his own village, also played a crucial role in developing him from scratch.

His breakthrough came at the 2023 ISSF Junior World Championships in Changwon, where he won gold in the men's 50m pistol junior event. He later claimed silver in the 50m pistol at the 2026 Asian Championships in New Delhi.

Suruchi: From local trains to the world stage

Suruchi Inder Singh Phogat, born in Sasroli village in Haryana's Jhajjar district, began shooting at just 13. Her early days involved travelling with her father and brothers by local train to a shooting academy in Bhiwani.

What began almost by chance soon became a remarkable rise. Suruchi developed into one of India's leading 10m air pistol shooters, becoming a junior world-record holder and multiple ISSF World Cup gold medallist.

Her journey also demanded immense mental discipline. She has spoken about how shooting taught her to control not just the pistol but also her emotions and thoughts under pressure.