Who is Sarabjot Singh? Discover everything about Manu Bhaker’s shooting partner who secured India’s second medal at the Paris Olympics.
Sarabjot Singh teamed up with Manu Bhaker to secure a bronze medal for India in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 22-year-old duo delivered a strong performance, defeating South Korea 16-10 to earn India’s second medal of the Games. Manu, who had already made history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals in a single Olympic edition with her individual bronze on Monday, solidified her place in history. Meanwhile, Sarabjot became the first Indian shooter to win a medal since Gagan Narang and Vijay Kumar, whose last shooting medal was exactly 12 years ago on July 30, 2012.
India scored a total of 261.3 points, with Sarabjot Singh contributing 110.2 of those points. He made significant shots, including two 10.2s and a 10.5, especially when Manu had her only dip in performance during the contest. Manu’s sole shot below 10, an 8.3 in the eighth attempt, was compensated by Sarabjot’s 10.2, helping India maintain their lead throughout the event.
Know More:- Manu Bhaker clinches historic bronze in shooting, marking India’s first medal at the Paris Olympics
While Manu Bhaker made history, Sarabjot Singh also achieved his own redemption story in his first Olympic appearance. On the opening day of the Games, Sarabjot did not advance to the final, finishing ninth, just outside the top eight. Despite tying with Germany’s Robin Walter with 577 points over six series, Sarabjot missed the final due to a tiebreaker. Walter secured the eighth and final spot by scoring one more inner 10, the smallest and most valued target in the 10m range. That single additional bullseye was the decisive factor between advancing to the medal rounds and exiting the competition.
Know More:- Manu and Sarabjot make history for India by winning bronze in the mixed team event.
Sarabjot Singh’s remarkable rise to prominence
Sarabjot Singh hails from Dheen village in Ambala. His father, Jatinder Singh, is a farmer, and his mother, Hardeep Kaur, is a homemaker. Sarabjot attended DAV College in Sector 10, Chandigarh, and received training under coach Abhishek Rana at the AR Shooting Academy in Ambala Cantt, part of the Central Phoenix Club.
Starting his senior career as a gold medalist at the 2019 Junior World Championships, Sarabjot also claimed team gold and mixed team silver at the 2023 Asian Games. Additionally, he earned an individual bronze at the 2023 Asian Championships, securing a quota spot for the Paris Olympics.
Originally aspiring to be a footballer, Sarabjot’s focus shifted significantly during a summer camp where he was captivated by the sight of children shooting at paper targets with pistols. This pivotal moment inspired him to pursue a career in shooting.
Although his father initially hesitated due to the sport’s expense, Sarabjot Singh successfully persuaded his parents to back his decision to pursue a career in shooting.
After winning silver in his first district-level tournament, Sarabjot began receiving professional training from Abhishek Rana, who has been his coach since 2016. In December 2022, he clinched two gold medals at the 65th National Shooting Championships, excelling in the team event held at the Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy of Excellence in Bhopal.
At the 2021 Junior World Championships, Sarabjot secured gold medals in both the team and mixed-team events. In March 2023, he achieved a gold medal with a flawless 16-0 score in the World Cup final. Throughout the competition, he emerged as the top scorer with 585 points and finished first with a total of 253.2 points.
