Rajnath Singh hails gold in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated shooters Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh on winning gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Asian Games 2026, hailing their talent and dedication as a source of national pride.
Key Takeaways
Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh won Gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Asian Games 2026 .
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh publicly congratulated the duo on September 25, 2026 .
Shooting has been one of India's consistently strong disciplines at recent Asian Games editions.
The Khelo India scheme, launched in 2017 , has been instrumental in supporting elite shooters at the international level.
The result holds significance for Olympic qualification ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games .
Gold for India on the shooting range. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, September 25, 2026, congratulated Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh after the pair claimed the Gold Medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Asian Games 2026, calling their achievement a moment of national pride.
Singh wrote: 'Congratulations to Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh on winning the Gold Medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Asian Games 2026. Their incredible talent, hard work and dedication have made us proud. Best wishes for their future endeavours.'
A discipline where India keeps delivering
Shooting has been one of India's most consistently productive disciplines at the continental Games, with mixed-team air pistol events demanding both technical precision and nerves of steel under pressure. The format pairs a male and female shooter in a combined qualification and final, making the coordination between partners as critical as individual marksmanship.
The Khelo India scheme, launched in 2017, has been central to building a deeper pipeline of competitive shooters, channelling support from grassroots identification all the way through to elite international competition. Medals at the Asian Games level are a direct marker of how that investment is translating on the world stage.
What the gold means heading toward Los Angeles 2028
Asian Games gold in a shooting event carries significant ranking weight on the road to Olympic qualification. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, performances like this keep India's shooters in strong contention for quota places. Every gold on the continental circuit tightens the case for dedicated preparation funding and national coaching support.
Senior ministers publicly amplifying these wins does more than generate goodwill — it keeps shooting in the national conversation, sustaining the political will to fund the infrastructure and competitions that produce future champions.
One gold, two names, and a discipline that has quietly become one of India's sharpest weapons on the international stage — expect the momentum to build.
Point of View
The government has a clear stake in broadcasting every major Asian Games result. The Khelo India pipeline is being stress-tested at exactly this level of competition, and gold medals are the evidence base ministers point to when defending budget allocations to elite sport. Shooting, long a quiet overachiever, is increasingly front and centre in that narrative.
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 Asian Games 2026, as congratulated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
What is the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event?
The 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event pairs a male and female shooter who compete together in qualification and a combined final, requiring both individual precision and coordination between partners.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Games 2026 is a continental multi-sport event held every four years featuring athletes from across Asia; the specific host city details for the 2026 edition were not included in the minister's post.
What is the Khelo India scheme and how does it support shooters?
Khelo India is a government scheme launched in 2017 to promote grassroots sports and support elite athletes, including those in shooting disciplines, helping build India's pipeline of competitive international competitors.
Why did Rajnath Singh congratulate the shooters?
As Union Defence Minister and a senior government leader, Rajnath Singh posted congratulations to highlight the national achievement and express pride in the athletes' gold medal performance at the Asian Games 2026.
