Asian Games 2018: Who is Saurabh Chaudhary?

Saurabh Chaudhary became India’s fifth gold medallist at the Asian Games by winning the yellow metal in 10m Air Pistol event.

Saurabh Chaudhary became India’s first gold medallist shooter at the Asian Games and the third gold medallist from India at the Jakarta-Pelambeng Games. By winning gold in 10m Air Pistol, Saurabh created an Asian Games record of 240.7 points by taking the lead over 2010 World Champion Tomoyuki Matsuda on the penultimate shot in the 24-shot final. A quick look at Saurabh Chaudhary – India’s Asian Games gold medallist:

Who is Saurabh Chaudhary? 

AGE: 16-years-old

PLACE OF BIRTH: Kalina village in Meerut

Saurabh Chaudhary only took up the sport three years back.

ISSF DEBUT: Asian Championships at Tehran in 2016

RECORD: Saurabh Chaudhary is the fifth Indian gold medallist at Asian Games in shooting

TRAINING: Amit Sheoran’s academy at Benoli near Baghpat (53 kms from Meerut)

JUNIORS RECORD: 243.7 points at ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany

YOUTH OLYMPICS: Saurabh Chaudhary qualified for the Youth Olympics Games with a gold medal and a junior world record at the qualification.

SAURABH CHAUDHARY – PUNCHING ABOVE WEIGHT

Not just eclipsing the 2010 World Champion Matsuda in the finals, he beat a field of World and Olympic champions to win the event at the Asian Games. Matsuda, 42, misfired on the 23rd shot, an 8.9, to settle for silver. He scored 239.7. Chaudhary’s last two shots were a 10.2 and 10.4, giving him the decisive lead. On the other hand, the Japanese’s last two shots were an 8.9 and 10.3.

Congratulatory messages poured in for the 16-year old Saurabh, who achieved the feat in his first senior International event, competing against Olympic medalists, Olympians and World Champions to win gold. Abhishek Verma, also making his Asian Games debut at 29, scored 219.3.

https://twitter.com/virendersehwag/status/1031780158548705280

Superb show by young Saurabh !! Many many Congratulations. We must pledge support to these young athletes for a sustained period of time irrespective of results. They have the ingredients for Olympic success. Needs persistent support irrespective.

— Abhinav Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 21, 2018

Sixteen year old Saurabh Chaudhary has clinched Gold Medal in 10m Air Pistol event by producing a record score at the ongoing Asian Games. Congratulations to him on his golden achievement. I also congratulate Abhishek Verma who has bagged Bronze Medal in the same event.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 21, 2018