Olympic Success Story: Introducing Raiza Dhillon, the First Indian Woman Selected to Participate in Women’s Skeet Shooting in 2024

With Olympic heroes like Abhinav Bindra and Manu Bhaker winning hearts and breaking records, India has long fostered a rich history. Raiza Dhillon, the first Indian woman to qualify for the Olympics in skeet shooting, is a fresh name that is rising from the clay pigeon dust to rewrite history. Not only is this 19-year-old Haryana pioneer an exceptional athlete, but her story also demonstrates the power of unrelenting desire, familial support, and the bravery to defy expectations.

Raiza Dhillon, a shooter from Haryana, is the first Indian to be awarded a spot to participate in the women’s skeet shooting event at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. India’s 18th ticket to France was secured by the 19-year-old shooting star, who recently won a spectacular silver at the Asia Olympic Qualification in Kuwait City. She was raised on stories of her great-grandfather’s weapons as she was born into a family with a long history and an extensive collection of rifles and other weaponry. Raiza’s interest with weapons, as the lone kid in the family, developed into a passion that today makes her family and the whole country proud.

Raiza started her photography career when she was twelve years old. She began in the 10m Air Rifle division and then switched to skeet shooting, demonstrating her courage and tenacity. Raiza’s family was worried about her being hurt, but she kept becoming better at the sport. Raiza’s accomplishment is especially meaningful since it allowed her to realize a childhood desire and earn India’s first-ever Olympic women’s skeet quota.

Raiza improved her skeet shooting abilities under the direction of instructor Amrinder Singh Cheema, a close friend of her father’s. Her efforts paid off in 2021 when she earned bronze in the senior skeet event in the championships. She then went on to win silver at the ISSF Junior World Championships in Changwon, Korea, as the junior national champion.

Raiza started the Asian Olympic Qualifications leading the standings, but she faced strong opposition. But China’s Jinmei Gao, who won the gold, presented her with a stiff challenge in the finals. Raiza’s silver was extraordinary since it guaranteed India’s 18th spot in the forthcoming Olympics in Paris.