In the world of sports, success is often fleeting, but true champions always find their way back. Saurabh Chaudhary, once hailed as Indian sports’ golden child, is the perfect example of this. His journey, marked by meteoric rise, setbacks, and eventual comeback, encapsulates both the fragility and resilience of an athlete’s career. From being one of India’s brightest young stars to enduring a fall from grace, Saurabh’s story has captured the imagination of sports enthusiasts across the globe. His recent performance at the Lima World Cup, where he won a solo bronze in the men’s 10m air pistol event, is not just a victory in terms of medals; it is a testament to his determination and his unwillingness to give up on his dreams.
The Rise of Saurabh Chaudhary
Before we dive into his recent achievement, let’s take a step back and understand how Saurabh Chaudhary became one of the most talked-about young talents in Indian shooting.
Born on May 27, 2002, in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, Saurabh Chaudhary’s journey in the world of shooting began at a young age. A natural talent, he quickly gained recognition in the shooting circles. At just 16 years old, Saurabh had already made a name for himself in international competitions, showing off an enviable blend of precision, poise, and mental toughness.
By 2018, he had won the gold medal in the 10m air pistol event at the Asian Games. It was an astonishing achievement for a teenager, and one that solidified his place as a future star. But that was just the beginning. Chaudhary went on to bag junior World Championship gold, bronze, and seven World Cup golds, alongside two silvers and two bronzes, five of them being individual medals. He was touted as India’s next big Olympic hope—following in the footsteps of shooters like Abhinav Bindra. As the Tokyo 2021 Olympics drew closer, all eyes were on him to deliver a historic result for India.
The Tokyo 2021 Olympics: A Bitter Disappointment
Saurabh Chaudhary entered the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021 as one of the favorites to win a medal in the men’s 10m air pistol event. However, the pressure of expectations appeared to weigh him down, and the young athlete faltered on the grandest stage. Despite his exceptional record leading up to the Games, he failed to secure a podium finish, and the result sent shockwaves through the Indian sporting community.
For many, Saurabh’s performance was a bitter disappointment. Here was a young man, just 19 years old, who had already achieved more than most shooters would in a lifetime, yet the Olympic stage proved too big. The loss was a hard pill to swallow for Saurabh, but for the fans, it marked a sudden and unexpected shift in the narrative of his career.
The Aftermath: A Struggle to Regain Confidence
The aftermath of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was not kind to Saurabh Chaudhary. While some athletes bounce back immediately after a major disappointment, others take time to rediscover their form and confidence. Saurabh fell into the latter category. Despite winning a gold medal at the World Cup in early 2022, his performance in the months that followed became increasingly inconsistent. In the years that followed, Saurabh’s presence in major international competitions diminished. He only participated in one World Cup between 2022 and 2025, where he finished 30th in qualifying.
This was not the Saurabh that fans had become accustomed to. The loss of form, coupled with personal and professional challenges, created a cloud of uncertainty around his career. A bitter fallout with his childhood coach, Amit Sheoran, seemed to affect him deeply. For a while, it appeared that the shooting community had moved on, with athletes like Manu Bhaker, who had once been his partner in mixed-team events, now emerging as double Olympic medalists.
A Glimmer of Hope: The 2025 National Championships
By 2025, Saurabh Chaudhary had become an afterthought in the Indian shooting scene. But amidst the uncertainty, a breakthrough was on the horizon. In the 2025 National Championships, Saurabh showed signs of the champion he once was. In the qualification rounds, he broke the national record with an impressive score of 591. Although he finished fifth in the final, the qualification round gave him the confidence boost he needed.
In an interview after the event, Saurabh reflected on his journey. He spoke about how he had struggled with his form for years and how he had tried various ways to regain his touch. He mentioned how changing his pistols and experimenting with different techniques hadn’t yielded results. Yet, the National Championship reminded him of his ability and reignited a spark inside him. “I’m not sad. How can I be? It’s the first time I’ve made the final of a National Championship since 2021,” Saurabh told Sportstar at the time.
The words were telling. For the first time in years, he spoke with the confidence of an athlete who was rediscovering his rhythm. He emphasized the importance of mental strength in shooting, explaining that confidence played a crucial role in achieving success. “When you squeeze the trigger, you want to have the confidence that the shot will go where you have fired it. That is the main thing,” he said.
The Road to Lima: A New Beginning
With his renewed confidence, Saurabh Chaudhary started to look ahead. His performances in national competitions and his work ethic were being noticed, and soon he was back in the India squad. By April 2025, Saurabh’s comeback was well underway. The Buenos Aires World Cup earlier in the month had already shown signs of progress, as he teamed up with Suruchi Singh to win a mixed team bronze. Though he finished 18th in the individual event, the bronze medal in the mixed team event showed that Saurabh was beginning to find his rhythm once again.
But the true test awaited him in Lima, where the 2025 World Cup would take place. For the first time in three years, Saurabh Chaudhary had qualified for an individual World Cup final. It was a significant milestone in his comeback journey, and he was determined to make the most of it.
The Lima World Cup: A Redemption Arc
On the day of the final, Saurabh Chaudhary delivered a performance that mixed brilliance with moments of uncertainty. In the early stages of the competition, he hit 50.7 and was placed second after five shots. But as the competition progressed, the pressure of the occasion seemed to catch up with him. By the time 10 shots were completed, Saurabh had slipped to fourth with a score of 99.8. He continued to struggle in the early stages of the elimination round, falling to fifth with a score of 118.6 after 12 shots.
The momentum seemed to be working against him, and it looked like another opportunity might slip away. But just when it seemed like his chance was over, two spectacular shots turned the tide. With scores of 10.6 and 10.2, Saurabh climbed back to second place after 16 shots, with a total of 160.2.
However, the ride was not smooth. His next two shots, scores of 10.0 and 9.3, pulled him down to third, where he remained for the rest of the competition. Despite some inconsistency in his shooting, Saurabh held his ground and finished with a score of 219.1, securing a hard-earned bronze medal.
The Significance of the Bronze
Saurabh Chaudhary’s bronze medal at the Lima World Cup marked a major turning point in his career. After three years of struggle, he had finally returned to the World Cup podium in an individual event. While the performance wasn’t flawless, the significance of the result cannot be overstated. This was not just a return to form—it was a clear indication that Saurabh had rediscovered his confidence and composure. His ability to stay calm under pressure and perform when it mattered most showed that he was indeed back.
This bronze, while not a gold, carries a special kind of weight for Saurabh Chaudhary. It represents his comeback after facing personal and professional setbacks. It marks the beginning of what could be a new chapter in his career, one where he not only regains his place among the world’s best but also goes on to achieve even greater success.
The Road Ahead
For Saurabh, the journey is far from over. While the bronze at the Lima World Cup is a significant achievement, it is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting next chapter in his career. His next goals are to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he will have the opportunity to show the world that he is still one of the best in the business. With his newfound confidence, Saurabh Chaudhary is ready to take on whatever challenges lie ahead.
His story is a reminder that in sports, as in life, setbacks are not the end. They are merely the beginning of a new journey. Saurabh Chaudhary’s redemption arc is a testament to the power of persistence, self-belief, and the unwavering love for one’s craft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Saurabh Chaudhary?
Saurabh Chaudhary is an Indian shooter, specializing in the 10m air pistol event. He gained international recognition at a young age, winning medals at the Asian Games, World Championships, and multiple World Cups. Known for his precision and calm demeanor, Saurabh was once considered a prime medal contender for India in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
What happened to Saurabh Chaudhary after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?
After a disappointing performance in the Tokyo Olympics, Saurabh went through a period of struggle. He experienced a decline in form, had personal conflicts, and faced a tough road back to the international shooting scene. He failed to qualify for major events like the 2023 Asian Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics in individual categories, but slowly began regaining his confidence.
What is Saurabh Chaudhary’s comeback story?
Saurabh Chaudhary’s comeback began with a strong performance at the 2025 National Championships, where he broke the national record in qualifications. This success gave him renewed belief in his abilities. He went on to win a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the Buenos Aires World Cup and then followed it up with an individual bronze at the Lima World Cup in April 2025, marking his first individual World Cup podium finish in three years.
What medal did Saurabh Chaudhary win at the Lima World Cup?
Saurabh Chaudhary won the bronze medal in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the Lima World Cup in April 2025. This was his first individual World Cup medal in three years and marked a major milestone in his comeback after a period of poor form.
What does Saurabh Chaudhary’s bronze at the Lima World Cup represent?
Saurabh’s bronze medal is a symbol of his resilience and perseverance. After struggling for several years, it demonstrates that he has rediscovered his confidence and ability. It represents not just a victory in terms of a medal but also a powerful reminder that setbacks can be overcome with hard work, self-belief, and determination.
Conclusion
Saurabh Chaudhary’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. From a prodigious young talent, tipped to become India’s next Olympic star, to a period of struggle and doubt, his story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and eventual triumph. After facing challenges both on and off the field, Saurabh’s return to the World Cup podium at the Lima World Cup in 2025 was a statement to all that true champions never give up.
His bronze medal in Lima, earned after years of hard work and self-reflection, signifies not just a return to form, but a renewed sense of confidence in his abilities. It is a reminder that the road to success is rarely a straight line and that perseverance can lead to redemption.
