After capturing national attention with his Bronze medal-winning performance in the 10m Mixed Team event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, combining with Manu Bhaker, Indian pistol shooter Sarabjot Singh is charting a comeback to form & into the national team.
While the Olympic limelight is often fleeting, he had a strong 2024 season leading up to the Olympics by winning the World Cup in Munich. It is fitting, then, that he comes back into the National fold at the Munich World Cup starting this week, albeit in the Ranking Points Section. Athletes shooting in the RPO section are not eligible to compete for the medals. Sarabjot will hope to shoot some high scores to put him back in the reckoning for the selection for future World Cups & World Championships.
Paris 2024 and Aftermath
Though he narrowly missed the finals in the men’s 10m air pistol event at Paris – finishing 9th – his performance was widely lauded. Back home, he received a hero’s welcome, media coverage, and even a job offer as Deputy Director from the Haryana Sports Department, which he declined in favor of continuing his shooting journey.
Following the intensity of Olympic preparation and competition, Sarabjot also took a conscious break from the shooting circuit to regroup mentally and physically. It was a decision grounded in self-awareness, allowing him space to reflect, recalibrate his goals, and return with renewed purpose. Rather than rush back into the spotlight for competitions, he opted for a measured approach, thereby reinforcing his reputation as a thoughtful and disciplined athlete.
6th in National Rankings
Sarabjot is currently ranked 6th in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol Rankings in India, based on his most recent performances. His recent scores include:
- 577.00 – Paris Olympics 2024
- 579.00 – 67th National Shooting Championships
- 583.30 – 38th National Games
- 574.00 – National Trials 1
- 583.20 – National Trials 2
With a cumulative total of 2896.50 across these events and an average score of 580.63, he has demonstrated not just potential, but a growing edge in a competitive national field.
Earlier this year at the H&N Cup in Munich, Sarabjot posted scores of 576 and 577 – solid scores that nonetheless fell short of finals qualification, illustrating the razor-thin margins at elite levels where missing out by a point or two can mean finishing 22nd or 16th.The domestic shooting circuit is more competitive than ever. Rising stars like Varun Tomar, Aditya Malra, and Nishant Rawat have earned spots on the national team, raising the internal benchmarks. Sarabjot’s continued presence in the top ranks is thus impressive.
Notably, he trails Aditya Malra by just one point, with Malra holding the second spot – highlighting how tightly contested the rankings have become.
International Highlights
Sarabjot’s international track record further underscores his potential. He won gold at the 2023 ISSF World Cup in Bhopal, showcasing his composure under pressure. Additionally, he helped clinch team gold at the Cairo World Cup and delivered a strong individual performance at the 2022 Asian Games, finishing 4th individually after contributing to the team gold. He also teamed up with Divya TS to win the Gold in the Mixed Team event at the
Baku World Cup in 2023. These achievements have established him as one of India’s most dependable pistol shooters in recent years.
The Bigger Picture
Sarabjot’s comeback strategy reflects a keen awareness of the challenges that follow early success. India has seen talented shooters like Saurabh Chaudhary (who recently made his return to the national team), Abhishek Verma, and Jitu Rai shine through one Olympic cycle only to miss out on the next. Their experiences serve as cautionary tales about the importance of strategic planning and adaptability to maintain momentum.
At 22, Sarabjot has time on his side. His training includes methodical self-reflection – he journals daily, and he draws inspiration from longevity-focused athletes like Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish marksman still competing at 51. For Sarabjot, it’s not just about peaking – it’s about sustaining a high level over time.
With eyes now set on Los Angeles 2028, every shot he fires in events like Munich is part of a larger, disciplined return to the top tiers of world shooting rankings.
