Indian rifle shooter Ashi Chouksey is gearing up for her second Asian Games appearance with a singular ambition: to convert her previous silvers into gold at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The 24-year-old from Bhopal, who stumbled into competitive shooting as recently as 2018, arrives at this campaign with three Asian Games medals already to her name and a sharpened sense of purpose.

A Medal-Laden First Campaign

At the 2022 Asian Games — held in 2023 — Chouksey claimed a silver in the Women's 10m Air Rifle team event, a silver in the Women's 50m Rifle 3P team event, and a bronze in the Women's 50m Rifle 3P individual event. That haul established her as one of India's most reliable performers on the multi-sport stage, but she is candid that the gold eluded her — and that unfinished business is driving her preparation.

'Asian Games is one of the biggest multi-sport tournaments after the Olympics, and I have competed there before. I have performed on that stage, so I know what it takes. After winning three medals, I now have good experience of competing at this level. So, this time, I am going to Japan with a clear view and goal for what I want to achieve at this competition,' Chouksey said.

Rigorous Training Camp in Bhopal

The Indian shooting team's build-up included an intensive camp in Bhopal that simulated match conditions at an unusual volume. Chouksey described the camp as one of the most demanding she has experienced, with three to four matches and three to four finals compressed into a 10-day window — a load she acknowledged is 'a lot.'

'We also had a 120-shot match, which is not in any programme but we did it to check the endurance and stability for a long period of time,' she explained. The gruelling format was designed to stress-test both physical consistency and mental resilience under prolonged pressure.

Sports Psychology and Biofeedback Technology

Beyond range work, the team has integrated sports psychologists and biofeedback technology into their preparation — monitoring breathing patterns and other physiological responses during live shooting sessions. Chouksey credited the approach with deepening her self-awareness as an athlete.

'We have tried it multiple times and it is really helpful… It has helped us understand ourselves better. They also suggested some exercises before sleeping and after waking up. I have been doing it and it is actually helping with my shooting as well,' she said. The holistic setup reflects a broader shift in how Indian shooting prepares for high-stakes events, moving well beyond technique drills alone.

China Factor and the Competitive Edge

Chouksey singled out the Chinese shooting team as the benchmark rival at Aichi-Nagoya. At the 2023 Asian Games, India's Sift Kaur Samra claimed gold and Chouksey bronze in the Women's 50m 3P category, while China had to settle for silver on home soil — a result she believes the Chinese side will be motivated to reverse.

'I am really excited to compete with the China shooting team because they are a very strong team… they might still be holding it against us and can be looking for revenge. They are a very strong team but I am really excited to compete with them,' she said.

From NCC Camp to Asian Games Podium

Chouksey's path to international shooting is itself an unlikely one. She first picked up a rifle at an NCC camp in 2018, with no prior background in the sport. That initial experience proved transformative, leading to her enrolment at a state shooting academy and a rapid rise through the national ranks. The trajectory — from first-time shooter to three-time Asian Games medallist in under a decade — underscores both her natural aptitude and the depth of her commitment.

As Aichi-Nagoya approaches, Chouksey's message is unambiguous: 'Little things matter a lot. We know what to do, we know how to shoot, but there are small things which are neglected. If we do them right, towards perfection, then I think we will be unstoppable.'