For Gurjoat Siingh Khangura, his name holds a profound meaning – ‘Guru ki Jyot’ or the light of God. Recently, that light shone brighter than ever as the 31-year-old shotgun shooter secured his first national championship title, marking a pivotal moment in his career.
A Long-Awaited Triumph at the Nationals
Less than two weeks ago, Gurjoat stood atop the podium at the 68th National Shooting Shotgun Championship held at Delhi's Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range. The gold medal in the men's skeet event was a reward for years of perseverance against India's top shotgun talents. The victory was especially sweet given the elite field, which included Olympians and world record holders.
"Most players I competed against are nine-time national champions, two-time Olympians, World Cup medallists," Gurjoat told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive chat from Patiala. "So defeating them is like winning a tournament against international players."
He dismissed any notion of a festive break, even on Christmas. "It's not Christmas for me. I was literally out of the shooting range when you called," he stated, underscoring his relentless focus.
Why the National Title is a Game-Changer
In Indian shooting, the Nationals are far more than a year-end competition. They set the base score for the entire next season, directly influencing selection for prestigious events like World Cups and the Asian Games.
"Nationals are the most important competition of the year for team selection," Gurjoat explained. His gold medal, therefore, is not just recognition but a critical step towards representing India on the global stage in the 2025 cycle.
A Year of Resilience and Reinvention
Ironically, this peak arrived after a challenging year. 2024 was a non-Olympic year, which Gurjoat used for bold experimentation. After underwhelming performances at World Cups in Argentina and Peru, where he battled illness and a back injury, he decided to overhaul his technique.
"I sat and analysed everything that needed to change," he recalled. His drastic steps included purchasing a brand-new gun and altering his stock settings mere weeks before the Nationals. "I shot the Nationals with a brand new gun and stock, which was not even a month old," he revealed. The gold medal validated his risky decisions, ending his year on a supremely positive note.
Age is Just a Number, Journey Has Just Begun
At 31, Gurjoat brushes aside concerns about age. He cites veterans like 47-year-old Olympian Zoravar Singh Sandhu as proof that shotgun shooters can have long careers. "If you keep yourself physically and mentally fit, you actually become more mature with time," he asserted.
Despite the landmark win, he views it as a starting point, not a destination. "My journey has literally just begun," he declared. His immediate goals are clear: securing an Olympic quota, competing at the Asian Games, and winning medals at World Cups in 2025.
Breaking Barriers for Aspiring Skeet Shooters
Gurjoat also addressed the perception of skeet shooting as an inaccessible, expensive sport. He highlighted that many clubs in cities like Delhi offer gun rentals for a nominal fee of Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, lowering the entry barrier. He praised government schemes like Khelo India for supporting consistent performers.
His own discipline is formidable: daily training involves shooting 250 to 300 cartridges, split across two range sessions totalling 5-6 hours, complemented by gym work and physiotherapy.
As Indian skeet shooting gains momentum—evidenced by three Olympic representations from the discipline last year—Gurjoat Siingh Khangura's national gold is a beacon of its rising potential. For him, the celebration isn't a day off; it's the sound of breaking targets, signalling a brighter light ahead.
