New Delhi: India has lengthy nurtured a wealthy Olympic legacy, with stars like Abhinav Bindra and Manu Bhaker capturing hearts and setting data. Now, a brand new identify rises from the clay pigeon mud to rewrite historical past: Raiza Dhillon, the primary Indian lady to qualify for the Olympics in skeet capturing. This 19-year-old trailblazer from Haryana is not only a gifted athlete; her journey is a testomony to unwavering ardour, household assist, and the braveness to defy expectations.
Haryana shooter Raiza Dhillon has turn out to be the primary Indian to safe an opportunity to compete in Women’s Skeet Shooting occasion on the Paris Olympics 2024. The 19-year-old capturing sensation clinched an excellent silver on the Asia Olympic Qualification in Kuwait City not too long ago, marking India’s 18th ticket to France. Born right into a household with a wealthy legacy and a group of rifles and weapons, she grew up listening to tales of her great-grandfather’s firearms. As the one little one within the household, Raiza’s fascination with weapons changed into a ardour that has now introduced pleasure not solely to her household however your complete nation.
Raiza Dhillon (file pic) it’s who wins India’s 18th @Paris2024 quota place, with a efficiency in girls’s skeet on the #AsiaOlympicQualification #Shotgun in Kuwait. Congratulations to {the teenager}#IndianShooting pic.twitter.com/RgsfUDwOXn
— NRAI (@OfficialNRAI) January 20, 2024
Raiza’s journey into the world of capturing started on the age of 12. Starting with the 10m Air Rifle class, she later transitioned to skeet capturing, a call that showcased her dedication and fearlessness. Despite considerations from her household about potential accidents, Raiza continued to excel within the sport. This achievement holds a particular place as Raiza fulfilled her childhood dream and secured India’s first-ever girls’s skeet quota for the Olympics.
Under the steering of coach Amrinder Singh Cheema, an in depth pal of her father, Raiza honed her expertise in skeet capturing. The arduous work and dedication paid off as she claimed bronze within the senior skeet occasion on the 2021 nationals, adopted by changing into the junior nationwide champion and profitable silver on the ISSF Junior World Championships in Changwon, Korea.
Raiza confronted robust competitors within the Asian Olympic Qualification, the place she initially led the desk throughout qualifiers. However, it was within the finals that she confronted a formidable opponent in China’s Jinmei Gao, who clinched the gold. Raiza’s silver was nothing wanting atypical as secured India’s 18th berth within the upcoming Paris Olympics.
