A postgraduate student from Ludhiana district has shot his way to national recognition, securing a bronze medal at a prestigious championship and setting his sights on the ultimate sporting arena – the Olympic Games.
From Village to Victory Podium
Puneetpal Singh, hailing from Narangwal Khurd village in Ludhiana district, achieved a significant milestone by winning a bronze medal at the 68th National Shooting Championship held in New Delhi. This achievement marks the crowning glory of an exceptional year filled with podium finishes at various competitive levels.
Remarkably, Puneetpal only began his shooting journey in 2023. Despite being a relative novice, he has compiled an impressive collection of medals in a short span. His remarkable consistency across district, state, zonal, and national events highlights his rapid ascent in the sport.
A Meteoric Rise in Competitive Shooting
Puneetpal Singh's trophy cabinet tells the story of a determined athlete. His winning streak includes two gold medals at the 60th Punjab State Shooting Championship in August 2025 and two silver medals at the 44th North Zone event in October of the same year.
Looking back at 2024, his successes were equally formidable. He bagged the gold at the June 2024 district championship, followed by two more golds at the 50th Punjab State Shooting Championship in August. He continued his form with a gold and a silver at the 43rd North Zone Shooting Championship in October 2024 and a silver at the 0832 India Open in Goa during the same month.
The year 2025 saw him add more silverware: a gold at the August 2025 district championship, another silver at the Open India Shooting Championship in November, and a bronze at the 6th Para National Shooting Championship in December.
Olympic Dreams and International Ambitions
Balancing his academic pursuit of a Master's degree in Punjabi with rigorous training, Puneetpal credits his coaches, Gurjit Singh and Priya, for his success. He has a clear vision for the future. "My future goal is to represent India in international competitions and the Olympic Games," the sharpshooter told reporters.
His coach, Gurjit Singh, confirmed the athlete's growing potential. "Puneetpal is now eligible for upcoming international camps. I want him to train hard and win medals abroad," he stated, indicating that the athlete's journey is now transitioning from the national to the international stage.
With his bronze at the national championship serving as a key qualification, Puneetpal Singh from Ludhiana is now firmly on the path to representing India, with the Olympics shining as the ultimate target on his horizon.
