Sarabjot Singh: From Hobby Shooting to Medal Harvest in Paris Olympics

Indian shooter Sarabjot Singh has made the nation proud by winning a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team shooting event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This achievement marks a significant milestone in his shooting career, which started as a hobby and has now turned into a medal harvest.

The Journey Begins

Sarabjot Singh, a 22-year-old farmer’s son from Dheen village of Ambala district in Haryana, has made a remarkable journey from being a hobby shooter to winning a bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Paris Olympics.

Sarabjot’s journey began when he was 13 years old and attended a summer camp where he was introduced to shooting. He liked the pistol, enjoyed hitting the target, and was hooked. Despite his parents’ initial reluctance due to the high cost of the sport, Sarabjot’s persistence eventually led his father, Jatinder Singh, to relent and support his son’s passion.

Sarabjot’s hard work and dedication paid off when he qualified for the Paris Olympics. However, his journey was not without setbacks. In the individual event, he was edged out by German Robin Walter by the slimmest of margins, finishing ninth in the qualification round.

Sarabjot’s Achievements

Sarabjot has had a remarkable career in shooting, winning several medals in international competitions. Some of his notable achievements include:

• Gold medal at the 2019 Junior World Championship
• Gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou
• Individual bronze at the 2023 Asian Championships
• Gold in both individual and team events of the World Championships in 2021

The Medal Harvest

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Sarabjot Singh, along with his partner Manu Bhaker, won the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team shooting event. This was India’s sixth Olympic medal in shooting and the first-ever in a shooting team event. The result also made Manu Bhaker the first athlete of independent India to win two medals in one edition of the Olympics.

Competing at the National Shooting Center in Chateauroux, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh defeated the Republic of Korea’s Oh Ye Jin and Wonho Lee 16-10 in the bronze medal match. Oh Ye Jin won the gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event on Sunday.

The Match

Manu Bhaker started strongly, shooting a 10.2 on her opening shot. Sarabjot Singh’s 8.6 cost India the first two points, but he recovered quickly with scores of 10.5, 10.4, and 10 to help India take the next six points. Manu Bhaker struck at least a 10 on her first seven shots. However, Oh Ye Jin kept the South Koreans in the hunt with her consistency as they recovered from an 8-2 deficit to stretch the match to 14-10.

The Turning Point

Oh Ye Jin, the Olympic champion, struck a 9 on her final shot, while her partner managed a 9.5. Manu Bhaker hit a 9.4, but a 10.2 from Sarabjot Singh confirmed the medal for India.

Reaction

“It’s great. The first medal was really good, and again the fight was really tough,” Manu said. “It was neck to neck with each shot, like with my first bronze. But the last shot was Sarabjot’s, so big up to him.”

The Future of Indian Shooting

India’s performance in the Paris 2024 Olympics has given a boost to the country’s shooting sports. With two medals in shooting, India has shown that it is a force to be reckoned with in the world of shooting.

Sarabjot Singh’s bronze medal win has inspired many young shooters in India to take up shooting as a career. With the right training and support, these young shooters can also bring laurels to the country in the future.

Conclusion

Sarabjot Singh’s journey from hobby shooting to medal harvest is an inspiration to many. His dedication, hard work, and passion for the sport have helped him to achieve this milestone. With his win, Sarabjot Singh has set an example for young shooters in India to follow. The future of Indian shooting looks bright, and Sarabjot Singh’s win is a testament to this fact.

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