Class XI Student Saurabh Chaudhary Beats World Champions To Grab Gold For India

Chaudhary has now become the fifth Indian shooter to claim a gold in the Asian Games history

16-year-old Saurabh Chaudhary became the newest internet sensation after he bagged a gold medal in the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta. He grabbed the yellow metal in the 10m air pistol finals.

Chaudhary has now become the fifth Indian shooter to claim a gold in the Asian Games history.

Son of a farmer based in Kalina Village in Meerut, Chaudhary defeated several world and Olympic champions including Jin Jongoh from Korea, Japan’s Tomoyuki Matsuda, in the 10m air pistol finals to finish at the top of the podium.

This was Chaudhary’s first senior event. He aggregated 240.7 points to surpass 42-year-old Matsuda from Japan who misfired on the 23rd shot, an 8.9, to settle for silver. He scored 239.7.

Chaudhary’s 240.7 in the finals is the highest score in the history of Asian Games.

Chaudhary, a student of class XI, learnt the tricks of the trade at Amit Sheoran’s academy at Benoli near Baghpat, 53 kilometres from Meerut. Whenever he is home, he helps his father in the farming business.

“I like farming. We don’t get much time off from training but whenever I do, I go back to my Village (Kalina) and help my father,” PTI quoted Chaudhary as saying.

Following his feat, many celebrities like Vijender Singh, Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore heaped praises on the young shooter.

Chaudhary’s next target will be World Championships after the Games.

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