Asian Games 2026: Anant Jeet, Parinaaz clinch historic mixed skeet bronze, win two medals each

Asian Games 2026: Naruka, Parinaaz Complete India’s Skeet Medal Sweep With Mixed Team Bronze

Anant Jeet Singh Naruka and Parinaaz Dhaliwal added another chapter to India’s memorable skeet campaign at the Asian Games 2026, clinching bronze in the mixed team event on Thursday at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery.

The result gave both shooters their second medal of the Games and secured India’s third medal in three skeet team events. It was also India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in the mixed team skeet competition.

China claimed gold with a world-record score of 52 points, while South Korea finished second with 51. Both totals surpassed the previous world record of 47, set by Qatar in January. India finished third with 44 points.

India Turn Fourth-Place Qualification Into Bronze

Naruka and Parinaaz entered the four-team final after finishing fourth in qualification with a combined score of 138. Naruka hit 70 of 75 targets, while Parinaaz registered 68.

Qatar topped the qualification round with 145 points, followed by South Korea with 143 and China with 140. However, those scores did not carry into the final, meaning all four teams started again from zero.

Qatar were the first team eliminated, ensuring India a medal and leaving the door open for a higher finish.

India made a promising start, hitting 21 of 24 targets, but strong and unpredictable winds made the shooting conditions increasingly difficult.

Naruka and Parinaaz maintained their composure under pressure and eventually finished on 44 points, securing the bronze medal. China produced a spectacular final phase to reach 52, while South Korea’s 51 earned silver.

Three Skeet Team Events, Three Indian Medals

The mixed team bronze completed a clean sweep for India in the three skeet team events at Aichi-Nagoya.

Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill and Mairaj Ahmad Khan had earlier secured bronze in the men’s team event. Parinaaz, Raiza Dhillon and Maheshwari Chauhan then won bronze in the women’s team competition.

The women’s team medal was India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in women’s skeet. A day later, Naruka and Parinaaz ensured the mixed event also ended with an Indian podium finish.

Parinaaz Enjoys Breakthrough Asian Games

For 24-year-old Parinaaz, the two bronze medals mark a significant turnaround from her experience at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, where she did not make the podium.

The Patiala shooter helped India secure its maiden Asian Games women’s skeet medal before partnering Naruka for another bronze in the mixed team event.

Reflecting on the final, Parinaaz said the duo focused on staying aggressive and supporting each other throughout the competition.

“We were aggressive. We just kept telling each other to keep fighting. That’s what mixed team is about,” she said.

Naruka Adds Another Medal to Asian Games Record

Naruka’s latest bronze adds to an already strong Asian Games record. He won individual silver and men’s team bronze at Hangzhou before adding two more bronze medals in Aichi-Nagoya.

The 28-year-old has also represented India at the Paris Olympics, where he and Maheshwari Chauhan finished fourth in the mixed team skeet event.

Comparing the two experiences, Naruka said the Asian Games podium finish carried special significance.

“This one ranks highest. In the Olympics you are coming fourth, but if you’re not standing on the podium it does not matter. We fought well and got the bronze today,” he said.

With three medals from three skeet team events, India’s campaign in the discipline has produced a historic run at Aichi-Nagoya, with landmark podium finishes in both the women’s and mixed team competitions.