Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet Strike Gold as India Win First Shooting Gold at Asian Games 2026

India finally had its golden moment in shooting at the Asian Games 2026, and it came from a mixed team pairing that refused to let the pressure show.Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet produced a stunning performance in the 10m air pistol mixed team final at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery, firing an Asian record 484.6 to claim the gold medal.The Republic of Korea finished second with 478.0, while the Islamic Republic of Iran took bronze with 415.8.For India, the victory was historic. It marked the country’s first Asian Games gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, improving on the silver won by Sarabjot Singh and Divya TS at Hangzhou 2023.Records Before the GoldThe Indian duo had already announced their intentions in qualification. Suruchi and Kamaljeet topped the qualification round with 587-29x, equalling the Asian record while setting a new Asian Games qualification record.Their score surpassed the previous Asian Games mark of 577, set by Sarabjot Singh and Divya TS in Hangzhou. It also matched the Asian record set by Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary at the 2021 ISSF World Cup in Osijek.The pair carried that confidence into the final. They opened with a powerful 103.0, immediately establishing a 4.9-point lead over South Korea. As the elimination stage progressed, the Indian shooters continued to widen the gap, eventually finishing 6.6 points ahead.“The Gold Was Waiting for Me”The victory was particularly special for Suruchi, who is competing at her maiden Asian Games. She said that it felt wonderful winning the first shooting gold medal for India. Suruchi also spoke about India’s run of silver and bronze medals before finally breaking through for gold.Her words captured the determination behind the performance: she believed the gold was waiting for her—and she went out and claimed it.More Silver for IndiaThe golden performance also came after a difficult start to India’s 10m air pistol campaign. Kamaljeet had finished ninth in men’s individual qualification, while Suruchi placed 26th in the women’s event. Both Indian 10m air pistol teams also finished fourth.India added another medal on Friday when Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar and Rudrankksh Patil combined for 1762 to win silver in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event.But the headline belonged to Suruchi and Kamaljeet—the pair who put India’s first shooting gold of Asian Games 2026 on the board.