Greatness, they say, is not defined by victories alone but by the courage to rise after a fall. Saurabh Chaudhary, India’s 22-year-old shooting prodigy, embodied this spirit with a record-breaking performance at the 67th National Shooting Championship in New Delhi. After years of battling adversity, he delivered a stunning qualification score of 591 in Men’s 10m Air Pistol, rewriting his own national record of 589 set in 2021.
This was no ordinary feat. Much like the mythical phoenix, Saurabh emerged stronger from the flames of disappointment that followed his Tokyo Olympics campaign. Despite topping the qualification round in Tokyo with 586, he finished seventh in the final—a crushing blow to a young star hailed as an Olympic medal prospect. The setback was compounded by a shoulder injury and a prolonged dip in form that sidelined him from the national squad for over two years.
But champions are forged in adversity. Behind the scenes, Saurabh embarked on a grueling journey of recovery and reinvention. He adapted his technique and posture, transforming the challenges into opportunities for growth. Whether training at the National Centre of Excellence or his home range in Kalina, his unyielding focus turned despair into determination.
Thursday’s performance was nothing short of a masterpiece. Shooting a series of 99, 97, 99, 99, 98, and 99, Saurabh demonstrated a level of precision and consistency that reminded the world of his immense potential. Though the world record of 594, set by Korea’s Jin Jongoh in 2009, remains untouched, Saurabh’s score is a bold declaration that he is back and ready to dominate.
His career already boasts an enviable resume—Asian Games, Youth Olympics and Junior World Champion, apart from winner of multiple gold medals in World Cups. But this comeback feels like the dawn of a new era.
As the finals approach on January 5, the shooting fraternity waits with bated breath. But in many ways, Saurabh has already won. His story is a beacon of hope and inspiration, a reminder that setbacks are not the end—they are the fuel for a greater comeback.
Saurabh Chaudhary’s journey is not just about records or medals. It’s about the unyielding human spirit, the fire within to rise again, and the promise that the best is yet to come. He has returned to soar higher than ever, and the world is ready to witness the flight.