Kamaljeet eyes maiden Asian Games glory in 50m pistol after athletics injury
Synopsis
An athletics injury could have ended Kamaljeet's sporting story — instead, it redirected him to the shooting range. Five years after picking up a pistol for the first time in 2019, the Rewari shooter is set to make his Asian Games debut in the 50m pistol event, backed by a family that refused to let him walk away.
Key Takeaways
Kamaljeet from Rewari , Haryana, is set to compete in his maiden Asian Games in the 50m pistol event.
He switched to pistol shooting in 2019 after an injury ended his career on the athletics track.
He credits his parents' unwavering support — 'My parents never let me quit' — as central to his rise.
He has established himself as one of India's leading 50m pistol shooters within a few years of switching disciplines.
Shooter Kamaljeet from Rewari, Haryana, is preparing for his maiden Asian Games appearance in the 50m pistol event, having rebuilt his sporting career from scratch after an injury forced him off the athletics track. The Rewari-born shooter took up pistol shooting in 2019 and has since risen to become one of India's foremost competitors in the discipline.
From the Track to the Range
An injury sustained during his time as an athlete effectively ended Kamaljeet's dreams on the track. Rather than stepping away from competitive sport entirely, he channelled that competitive drive toward the shooting range. The transition, which began in 2019, proved to be a turning point — within a few years, he had carved out a place among India's top 50m pistol shooters.
Family Support: The Backbone of His Journey
'My parents never let me quit,' Kamaljeet said, crediting his family's resolve as a defining factor in his rise. That parental backing, he indicated, kept him focused during the difficult early years of adapting to an entirely new discipline. Such support systems are often cited by Indian shooters as critical to surviving the long, resource-intensive grind of elite-level training.
Road to the Asian Games
Kamaljeet's selection for the Asian Games marks the culmination of his rapid progress since switching sports. The 50m pistol event demands exceptional precision and mental steadiness over a sustained period of competition — qualities that, by his own account, his athletic background helped him develop. He now enters the continental stage as one of India's hopes in a discipline where the country has historically punched below its weight.
What to Watch
His debut at the Asian Games will be closely watched by the Indian shooting fraternity. A strong performance could cement his status as a long-term prospect for future international cycles, including the Olympic qualification pathway. The shooting contingent's overall showing at the Games is expected to be a key indicator of India's depth in non-marquee firearm events.
Point of View
Driven by individual resilience rather than any formal identification programme. If a shooter of Kamaljeet's calibre emerged despite the system rather than because of it, the question worth asking is how many similar transitions never happened for want of institutional support. His Asian Games debut is a personal milestone, but it should also prompt a harder look at whether India's sports bodies are doing enough to catch athletes in transition.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kamaljeet and why is he in the news?
Kamaljeet is a shooter from Rewari, Haryana, who has earned a spot in India's squad for the Asian Games in the 50m pistol event. He is in the news ahead of his maiden Asian Games appearance, having risen rapidly in the discipline since switching from athletics in 2019.
Why did Kamaljeet switch from athletics to shooting?
An injury on the athletics track ended his prospects in that sport, prompting him to take up pistol shooting in 2019. He has since become one of India's leading 50m pistol competitors.
What did Kamaljeet say about his parents' role in his career?
Kamaljeet credited his family's support as a cornerstone of his journey, saying 'My parents never let me quit.' He indicated that their encouragement was crucial during the challenging early phase of adapting to a new sport.
What event will Kamaljeet compete in at the Asian Games?
Kamaljeet will compete in the 50m pistol event at the Asian Games, marking his debut at the continental multi-sport competition.
When did Kamaljeet start shooting?
Kamaljeet took up pistol shooting in 2019, following the injury that cut short his athletics career. Within a few years, he secured a place among India's top shooters in the 50m pistol discipline.
