The Indian shooting contingent continues to shine at the Asian Games 2026, held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. In a remarkable display of skill and precision, the Indian Women's Skeet Team has clinched the bronze medal, marking India's 8th medal in the prestigious multi-sport event. The team, comprising Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan, and Parinaaz Dhaliwal, showcased exceptional coordination and marksmanship to secure their place on the podium. This victory further cements India's dominance in shooting, as 6 out of the 8 medals won by the country so far have come from this discipline.
Performance Breakdown and Scores
The Indian trio achieved a collective score of 331 points to secure the third position. Each member of the team played a crucial role in reaching this total, while parinaaz Dhaliwal and Raiza Dhillon were the top performers for the side, both scoring 111 points each. Maheshwari Chauhan contributed Importantly with a score of 109 points. Their combined effort was enough to hold off other competitors and ensure a bronze medal for India. In the same event, the team from China displayed extraordinary form, scoring 357 points to claim the gold medal, while Kazakhstan took home the silver medal with a total of 337 points.
Individual Finals Qualification
Beyond the team success, there was more good news for the Indian camp in the individual category. Both Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Raiza Dhillon have successfully qualified for the finals of the Women's Skeet individual event. The qualification process for the individual finals allows the top 8 shooters from the team event to compete. Parinaaz Dhaliwal secured her spot by finishing in 8th place. Interestingly, Raiza Dhillon, who finished in 9th place, also managed to qualify for the final round.
The Two-Shooter Rule Benefit
Raiza Dhillon's qualification for the individual final was made possible due to a specific tournament regulation. According to the rules, a single nation can have a maximum of 2 shooters in the individual final. Since China had 3 shooters finishing within the top 8, their third-ranked shooter was ineligible for the final. This allowed Raiza Dhillon, the next best-placed shooter at 9th position, to move up and secure a spot among the finalists. This development gives India two opportunities to aim for further medals in the individual skeet event.
India's Shooting Medal Tally
The success of the Women's Skeet Team adds to an already impressive haul for Indian shooters at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. Prior to this bronze medal, India had secured silver medals in both the men's and women's 10m Air Rifle team events. On top of that, Indian shooters had also earned silver and bronze medals in the individual 10m Air Rifle categories. With 6 medals coming from the shooting range alone, the sport remains the primary driver of India's success in the 2026 Asian Games so far.