Gadkari hails India's gold in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Minister Nitin Gadkari congratulated Indian shooters Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh on winning gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the 2026 Asian Games, calling it a moment of national pride and urging the next generation to aim higher.
Key Takeaways
Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh won gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the 2026 Asian Games .
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari posted a public congratulatory message on 25 September 2026 .
Gadkari highlighted the pair's 'focus, composure and teamwork' as key to their success.
India's shooting programme has been backed by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme since 2014 .
The gold enhances India's Asian Games medal tally and strengthens Olympic qualification prospects for the shooters.
A golden shot rang out for India at the 2026 Asian Games — and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari was among the first to salute it. On Friday, 25 September 2026, Gadkari took to X to congratulate shooters Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh on their gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event, calling their performance a 'moment of glory for India.'
Gadkari's post praised the pair's 'focus, composure and teamwork,' noting that every shot had been turned into 'a moment of national pride.' He signed off with a call to arms for the next generation: 'May this golden triumph inspire a new generation to aim higher and dream bigger.'
Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh's gold in the mixed-team arena
The 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team discipline demands near-perfect synchrony between two athletes — each controlling breath, trigger pressure, and nerves under continental-level scrutiny. A gold at an Asian Games marks genuine elite standing in a continent where China, South Korea, and Japan have long dominated the shooting ranges. For Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh, the podium finish is a career landmark that will almost certainly sharpen their Olympic qualification credentials.
Shooting's long climb in India's sporting architecture
Indian shooting's rise has been deliberate, not accidental. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), launched in 2014, systematically identified and funded elite athletes across Olympic disciplines — shooting foremost among them. Successive governments expanded that investment, building a pipeline that now regularly delivers medals at continental and global competitions. The mixed-team format, introduced to major Games in recent years, has added a new tactical dimension that Indian pairs have embraced effectively.
Political leaders across the spectrum have made a point of publicly recognising these moments — not just as courtesy, but as a signal that the state is watching, that the sacrifices of elite athletes register at the highest levels of government. Gadkari's post fits that pattern, anchoring a sporting milestone to a broader national narrative of ambition.
With the 2026 Asian Games still unfolding, India's shooting contingent will be eyeing further medals — and every gold nudges the country's Olympic qualification picture in a brighter direction. If Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh's performance on the range is any guide, the generation Gadkari hopes to inspire already has its role models.
Point of View
And Indian pairs claiming gold signals that the country's shooting programme has matured beyond individual excellence into coordinated team performance. For the BJP government, visible ministerial recognition of such milestones also serves a soft-power function: it ties state investment in elite sport directly to national pride, reinforcing the case for continued funding. The real test will come in Olympic qualification cycles, where Asian Games gold holders from shooting disciplines enter with significantly stronger profiles.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh?
Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh are Indian shooters who won the gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the 2026 Asian Games, earning national recognition for their performance.
What event did India win gold in at Asian Games 2026?
India won gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team shooting event at the 2026 Asian Games, with the pair of Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh taking the top podium spot.
Why did Nitin Gadkari congratulate the shooters?
As a senior Union Minister and BJP leader, Nitin Gadkari congratulated Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh on 25 September 2026 to recognise their gold medal as a moment of national pride at the Asian Games 2026.
What is the Target Olympic Podium Scheme?
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is a government programme launched in 2014 to identify and financially support elite Indian athletes — including shooters — competing in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines.
How does the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event work?
The 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event pairs one male and one female shooter who compete together, combining their scores — demanding precision, composure, and close coordination between partners.
