Sarabjot not satisfied with Olympics bronze: Will shoot for gold in 2028

Indian shooter Sarabjot Singh, who clinched a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.

With his partner Manu Bhaker, has set his sights on a greater goal: winning gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Sarabjot said he was not satisfied with his performance despite winning the bronze, emphasizing his desire to achieve more in the next Olympics. Notably, Manu and Sarabjot gave India a second medal at the Paris Olympics after defeating the South Korean duo of Oh Ye Jin and Lee Wonho 16-10 in the bronze medal match.

“I am yet to achieve my main goal. Hopefully I will complete my main goal in 2028. I used to write in my personal diary that I will give my personal best in Paris. However, I am yet to give my personal best. I want to shoot for gold in 2028,” Sarabjot told India Today in an exclusive interview. When asked about his partnership with Bhakar, Sarabjot recalled partnering with Manu Bhaker in 2019, when the duo won gold in the same event. “We both told each other that we would give our best in the medal round and we won the bronze medal,” he added.

Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh displayed remarkable poise throughout the match, with Manu maintaining consistency and Singh recovering from a shaky start. Despite Sarabjot Singh’s initial shot scoring only 8.6, the pair quickly turned the match around, showcasing resilience and composure. For Sarabjot, the bronze medal served as redemption after narrowly missing the finals in the men’s 10m air pistol event, where he finished ninth with a score of 577. The Ambala shooter, who hails from a farming family, acknowledged the pressure he faced but remained optimistic about the future. “I’m feeling good, the game was very tough and there was a lot of pressure. I am very happy,” he said, reflecting on the challenging but rewarding experience.

As Sarabjot looks ahead to the next Olympic cycle, he is determined to improve and achieve his ultimate goal. “It was in my mind that I should just forget the last shot and focus on the new one and give my best now. I can’t express what I feel when I see India winning a medal,” he concluded, eager to continue his journey and bring greater glory to his country.