From team gold to individual bronze: Patel’s Asian Games journey

The Asian Games have offered Rudraksh Patel a roller‑coaster of emotions. After playing a crucial role in India’s team gold at the 2023 Hangzhou edition, he later helped Japan secure a silver in the men’s team event.

This week, Patel added two more silver medals to his tally, winning both the 10‑meter air rifle individual and team events on the same day. He then moved on to the 10‑meter final where an early strong start turned into a bronze after a brief bout of nerves. "I felt the pressure as I climbed the leaderboard," he admitted, "but the training we did gave me enough confidence to finish on the podium."

Now, Patel is preparing for the 50‑meter rifle three‑position contest. He highlighted the simplicity of his coach’s advice: stick to the daily shooting routine, trust the score that got him selected, and let performance speak for itself. With the support of his coaches and the Indian contingent, Patel hopes to add another medal to his growing collection.