Maheshwari Chauhan disappointed despite India's skeet bronze. Here's why

Olympian Maheshwari Chauhan helped India create history at the Asian Games on Wednesday, but the women’s skeet team bronze left her disappointed. India had never won a women’s skeet medal at the Asian Games before, with Maheshwari, Raiza Dhillon and Parinaaz Dhaliwal combining for a score of 331 to finish third.

For Maheshwari, 30, the medal was a landmark achievement, but she felt the trio had the form to finish higher. Her disappointment, however, was balanced by a belief that the historic result could be the beginning of a bigger rise for women’s shotgun shooting in India.

"I'm a little disappointed about it (team medal) not being a better colour, but it's better to have finished on the podium," Maheshwari said. "It's the first medal for the skeet women at Asian Games ever."

The trio had arrived in strong form, with Maheshwari and Raiza both Olympians, while Parinaaz has emerged as one of the younger names in India’s shotgun set-up.

Maheshwari believes the bronze can serve as a stepping stone towards better results.

"I think we're in great form," she said. "I'm really hoping that we'll go with a few more medals (from the Asian Games in men's and women's trap shooting). I think it's just a stepping stone for better podium finishes and better opportunities for better competition."MAHESHWARI SEES SHOTGUN SHOOTING ON THE RISE

Maheshwari’s optimism stems from the changing landscape of Indian shotgun shooting. While rifle and pistol have traditionally had greater depth and international success, she believes shotgun is now developing a stronger pool of athletes, particularly among women.

"I genuinely feel like that's been the reason because we just didn't have enough high-performing athletes and enough female athletes to begin with," she said. "And the level of competition that rifle has at a domestic level is unmatched."

The current generation, she feels, is also younger and better prepared.

"The shotgun crowd today is much younger and all of them are at a much higher technical quality and level," Maheshwari said. "I do feel like you're going to see a lot more of shotgun doing better overall."MAHESHWARI CREDITS STRONGER FOUNDATIONS

Having spent around a decade in the sport, Maheshwari has seen a major change in the way young shooters are developed. She believes better technical, nutritional and psychological training is helping athletes reach a higher level much earlier.

"The biggest advantage is just the level that the Indians are now starting their training at," she said. "I remember back when I started, the domestic level was not at a great level. We didn't have the right kind of technical training, nutritional training, psychological training."

She also pointed to the wider improvement in India’s sporting ecosystem.

"The results are better and they're only going to get better. The schemes are better. The entire infrastructure for sports is better in India," she said. "I've been in the game for 10 years now. And for me, it's night and day."

Maheshwari’s season is now over after she missed selection for the World Championships. She plans to take a short break before starting the next Olympic cycle with the domestic season in December.

The historic bronze, meanwhile, has given Indian women’s skeet a first Asian Games medal and a stronger platform for the next generation to build on.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Sep 23, 2026 18:28 IST