When India’s shooters drew blank at the Tokyo Olympics, they copped a lot of flak from all quarters, given the amount of money spent on them by the government and the NRAI [National Rifle Association of India] for training and frequent foreign exposure trips. There was no doubting the technical expertise of India’s marksmen, who frequently rule at ISSF junior and senior World Cups and World Championships. It is the mind that crumbled under immense pressure, and for this reason, the NRAI put particular emphasis on the mental aspect, and the results are there for all to see.

22-medal haul

India’s 33-member shooting contingent came up with an all-time best Asian Games performance, bagging seven gold, nine silver and six bronze medals for a total of 22 medals from the campaign. They were second only to the athletics contingent, which picked up 29 medals, but the shooters won one gold medal more than the track and field stars.