Ramita Jindal wins two medals with her air rifle in Hangzhou Asian Games

Ramita Jindal brings home another medal for India after bronze-winning performance in 10m air rifle.

Ramita Jindal wins two medals with her air rifle in Hangzhou Asian Games

Ramita Jindal with coach Neha Chavan (Image source: Sportstar)

Ramita Jindal took to an air rifle event at the Asian Games as a fun shooter from a young age. On Sunday, the 19-year-old from Ladwa, Haryana, made India proud as she won two medals in the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Mind you, this was Ramita Jindal’s debut at the Asian Games and the pressure was high on Day 1. After featuring in the air rifle team event where India won silver in the morning, she showed very positive body language in the final to win bronze.

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To be rubbing shoulders with senior Mehuli Ghosh and other International shooters was not easy. Yet, standing firm with her feet planted on terra firma, Ramita was in the zone in the final. For someone who has won a few medals in the ISSF World Cups, this was a fantastic day.

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“This is a big day for me and I am extremely happy. It is a dream come true for me,” said Ramita. Her parents encouraged her to take up shooting and she has lived up to the promise. The way India produces shooters in pistol and rifle in the air event is quite amazing.

Yet, for a relative newcomer on the international stage senior section to stay composed, and fully focussed in the final was positive body language. To be sure, women’s air rifle has been a strength for India over the years. From the days of Anjai Bhagwat to Suma Shirur and then Anjum Moudgil to Apurvi Chandela till the Tokyo Olympics, there have been solid shooters. Anjum and Apurvi have fallen by the wayside. Not to forget, Elavenil Valarivan has also been in and out.

Related: India begin with a bang by winning silver medal in the women’s air rifle team event at the Hangzhou Asian Games

Youngster Ramita Jindal handles media with incredible poise

Ramita is also a Gun for Glory product run by Gagan Narang. Though Ramita studies at Hansraj College in New Delhi, she has been serious about her shooting. Mixing studies and shooting is not easy. At the Asian games, when Ramita Jindal was put through multiple media interviews, Ramita was composed. Asked by FIRSTSPORTZ if qualifying for the Paris Olympics was a target, she said “yes.”

Ramita Jindal Asian Games
Ramita Jindal at Asian Games (Image source: Doordarshan Sports Twitter)

“I am in the squad for the Asian Championships and hope I can continue in the same vein. Right now, I feel on top of the world and these medals are a dream come true for me. I dedicate these medals to my parents who have supported me through the thick and thin of my shooting journey thus far,” said Ramita.

Though Mehuli Ghosh did not win an individual medal on Sunday, she is also in good touch. She spoke of the standards being high in the Asian Games. Mehuli did well in the World Championships in Baku last month to win a Paris quota place. However, the final decision on who will be sent by the NRAI to Paris will be known only in 2024.

There is every possibility one more air rifle quota can be won at the Asian Championship in Changwon, Korea next month. For that matter, more Indian shooters can do well as well in the last chance to earn berths for the 2024 Olympics.

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