When Angad Vir Singh Bajwa officially received clearance to represent Canada in international competition, it marked the end of a significant chapter in Indian shooting and the beginning of another in a rapidly globalizing Olympic ecosystem.
Bajwa’s transition, formalized through a No Objection Certificate issued by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), is not merely an administrative switch. It is the story of an athlete who broke barriers for Indian skeet shooting and who now seeks stability, sustainability, and longevity in a system better aligned with the realities of elite shotgun sport.
Bajwa’s legacy in Indian shooting is already secure. Born in Chandigarh in 1995, he emerged during a period when skeet was still considered a fringe discipline within India’s shooting landscape, overshadowed by the country’s growing dominance in rifle and pistol events. Bajwa changed that perception decisively in 2018 at the Asian Shotgun Championship in Kuwait. His flawless 60/60 final a world-record performance delivered India its first-ever continental gold in men’s skeet. It was not just a medal but a psychological breakthrough, proving that Indian shooters could match the traditional strongholds of Europe and the Middle East in one of the sport’s most unforgiving disciplines.
That performance set the tone for Bajwa’s peak competitive cycle. In 2019, he reinforced his status by winning gold at the Asian Shooting Championships in Doha, prevailing in a shoot-off against compatriot Mairaj Ahmad Khan. Together, the two secured Olympic quota places for India for Tokyo, an unprecedented moment of depth in Indian skeet. Bajwa went on to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, finishing 18th with a score of 120/125 a respectable showing in a field where margins are measured in single targets and fractions of a second.
What separated Bajwa from many of his peers was not just skill, but method. He was meticulous to the point of obsession, documenting technical cues, mental triggers, and competition patterns in a personal notebook. He also spoke openly about the importance of sports psychology, working with mental-conditioning specialists to cope with the pressures of elite competition. In a discipline where rhythm and composure matter as much as reflex, Bajwa’s analytical approach was central to his rise.
Yet skeet shooting is also one of the most resource-intensive Olympic sports. The cost of a competition-grade shotgun, continuous ammunition expenditure, international travel, and access to specialised training bases often in Italy create a financial burden far greater than most air-gun disciplines. Even with schemes like TOPS providing support at the highest level, long-term sustainability remains a challenge for many athletes once they fall outside the core focus group.
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It is here that Bajwa’s personal circumstances intersected with professional reality. His family has long-standing business interests and residence in Canada, offering him financial autonomy and access to consistent training infrastructure. Unlike short-term decisions driven by form or selection setbacks, Bajwa’s move reflects a strategic recalibration, choosing an environment where elite preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle can be planned without uncertainty.
The nationality switch itself followed established Olympic protocols. Under IOC regulations, such transitions typically involve a cooling-off period, but these can be waived with mutual consent from both national federations. The NRAI’s decision to grant Bajwa an NOC is notable. Rather than blocking his move, the federation cited freedom of choice, signaling a more mature, athlete-centric approach to governance. It also reflects confidence that India’s skeet program is no longer dependent on a single flag-bearer.
Indeed, Indian skeet has evolved since Bajwa’s breakthrough. Shooters like Anantjeet Singh Naruka, who claimed Asian Championship gold in 2025, have stepped into leadership roles. Technical collaboration with international coaches and improved access to equipment have strengthened the pipeline. Bajwa’s departure, while a loss of experience, does not leave a vacuum as it once might have.
For Canada, the implications are significant. Bajwa arrives not as a developmental prospect but as a finished elite athlete, a world-record holder with Olympic experience. His presence immediately raises the competitive ceiling of Canadian skeet and provides a benchmark for domestic shooters. With the Canadian national championships and ISSF events on the horizon, Bajwa is positioned to integrate quickly into their Olympic pathway.
There is also a broader lesson in Bajwa’s journey. Modern Olympic sport is increasingly transnational. Athletes make decisions based not only on national pride but also on access, infrastructure, and long-term career security. India’s strict stance on dual citizenship forces athletes into definitive choices, unlike many Western nations where dual affiliations are possible. Bajwa’s move highlights how policy, economics, and sport intersect at the elite level.
Ultimately, Angad Vir Singh Bajwa’s story is not one of departure alone. It is a reminder of what Indian shooting has already achieved producing a world-record skeet shooter who redefined expectations and of the realities that still shape elite careers.
The perfect 60 he shot in Kuwait remains a landmark moment in Indian sport. Wherever he now competes, that performance endures as proof that Indian shooters belong at the very top of the global skeet stage.
