India Shooter Akhil Sheoran Targets Asian Games, LA 2028 with Focus on Process Over Podiums

In Indian shooting, success is often judged by medals. But for Akhil Sheoran, it's not just about winning medals right now, it's about building something bigger for the future.

At the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026, India celebrated a clean sweep in the men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar held his nerve to win gold, edging past Niraj Kumar, while Sheoran secured bronze with a score of 343.5. It was a proud moment but also a reminder of how fine the margins are at the top.

Soon after, Sheoran competed at the ISSF World Cup Granada, where he shot 588 in qualification but finished 22nd. On paper, it may not look impressive. But for Sheoran, it told a different story.

Speaking to myKhel, he said, "I topped qualification there (Spain) recently but couldn't finish on the podium. Still, it shows we are on the right track."

That "track" is not about immediate results. It is about preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. After the Paris Olympics, the former world champion made a conscious decision to change things.

Instead of spreading himself across events, he has now made the 50m Rifle 3 Positions his main priority. The reason is simple: consistency. "I am almost there. I am topping qualification rounds at the international level. That's why it's my main focus."

He still keeps the 10m air rifle as a secondary event, but the roadmap is clear. Specialisation, not experimentation, will define the next phase of his career.

One of the most interesting insights from the 2022 Asian Games gold medallist, Akhil Sheoran, is where he feels the most pressure not on the world stage, but in India itself "The pressure is inside the team. In India, we have to give 110% just to get selected."

India's shooting ecosystem has become so competitive that making the national team often feels harder than competing internationally. For experienced athletes like Sheoran, now in his 30s, the challenge is not just performance but staying ahead of younger, hungrier shooters.

Shooting is a sport where age can be both an advantage and a challenge. The World Cup medalist, Sheoran openly admits that things have changed. "Earlier, it felt easier. Now it's more difficult because I focus less on shooting and more on fitness, mental strength, and planning."

Today, his routine includes hours of physical training and meditation things he did not prioritise in his younger days. It is a shift from pure skill to complete preparation.

Like many Indian shooters, Akhil also feels the absence of shooting at the Commonwealth Games 2026. India has traditionally dominated shooting at the Commonwealth level. Its absence removes a key platform not just for medals, but for recognition and financial support. He added, "We are missing that opportunity. It was a big pillar for athletes and coaches."

For Sheoran, the goals are clear: World Championships and Asian Games in the short term, and ultimately, the Olympics. There is no rush, no overreaction to results. Just steady progress because sometimes in sport, the biggest victories are not immediate they are built quietly, shot by shot, long before the final medal is won.