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Ashi Chousksey won a silver in women’s 10m air rifle team and a bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3P at the Asian Games in 2023.
Ashi Chouksey wants nothing less than an Asiad gold. (Picture Credit: IG/ashichouksey7)
Multiple Asian Games medallist Ashi Chouksey believes India can be “unstoppable” at next month’s Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, if the contingent gets the basics right and remains committed to its fundamentals.
Indian shooters will enter the continental showpiece with high expectations after impressive medal hauls at the previous two editions in Jakarta in 2018 and Hangzhou in 2023. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4.
“Little things matter a lot. We know what to do, we know how to shoot, but there are small things which are neglected. If we do them right, towards perfection, then I think we will be unstoppable,” said Chouksey, 24, who won two silver medals and a bronze at the previous Asian Games.
Chouksey is also looking forward to testing herself against a strong Chinese shooting contingent, which has been India’s biggest rival on the continental stage.
“I am really excited to compete with the Chinese shooting team because they are a very strong team and in the 2023 Asian Games, we had a gold (Sift Kaur Samra) and a bronze (Ashi Chouksey) in the women’s 50m 3P category, while they got a silver at their home,” she said.
“So they might still be holding it against us (laughs) and can be looking for revenge. They are a very strong team, but I am really excited to compete with them,” said Chouksey.
At the 2023 Asian Games, Chouksey won silver in the women’s 10m air rifle team event and bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3P event.
Reflecting on the difference between her first and second Asian Games campaigns, Chouksey said, “Asian Games is one of the biggest multi-sport tournaments after the Olympics, and I have competed there before. I have performed on that stage, so I know what it takes.
“After winning three medals, I now have good experience of competing at this level. So, this time, I am going to Japan with a clear view and goal for what I want to achieve at this competition.”
Chouksey’s journey from discovering shooting at a school camp to establishing herself as an international-level shooter has been marked by rapid progress.
She was first introduced to the sport at an NCC camp, where she picked up a rifle for the first time. Her strong performance in her maiden attempt encouraged her to consider shooting as a career and eventually led to her selection at a state shooting academy.
Her preparation for the Asian Games has included intensive training camps in Bhopal. The first camp featured several match and final simulations, including extended shooting sessions aimed at testing the athletes’ endurance, focus and stability.
“We were putting a lot of hard work and effort into the preparation. The strategy for this camp was to conduct matches and finals. We played around three-four matches and three-four finals, which is a lot in a 10-day camp. Playing a match is very intense, even if it is just a 60-shot match.
“We also had a 120-shot match, which is not in any programme, but we did it to check the endurance and stability for a long period of time,” Chouksey said.
The team has also been working with sports psychologists and using biofeedback technology to gain a better understanding of their breathing patterns and physiological responses during shooting.
Having already experienced the pressure of an Asian Games, Chouksey feels that familiarity will help her approach the competition with greater composure. Her target, however, is clear: to convert her previous medal-winning performance into gold.
“I was excited and also very dedicated to convert it to gold. And I really want that very, very much,” she said.
With PTI Inputs
About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
August 29, 2026, 13:17 IST
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