The National Games 2025 concluded with a thrilling finale in the Skeet Mixed team event, where Haryana’s Raiza Dhillon and Shaan Singh Libra emerged as the surprise champions by defeating Punjab’s Ganemat Sekhon and Bhavtegh Singh Gill. The Haryana duo displayed remarkable composure and skill to secure the gold medal with a 41-39 victory over the formidable Punjab pair, which included national record holder Ganemat Sekhon.
In a closely contested final, Haryana proved to be the superior team, forcing Punjab to settle for the silver medal. Meanwhile, Telangana’s Munek Battula and Rashmmi Rathore claimed the bronze after defeating Madhya Pradesh’s Rituraj S Bundela and Vanshika Tiwari with a score of 37.
During the qualification round, Punjab had topped the leaderboard with a score of 138+16, followed closely by Haryana (138+14), Madhya Pradesh (133+4), and Telangana (133+3). Despite Punjab’s strong showing in the qualifiers, Haryana turned the tables in the final showdown.
Prior to the Skeet Mixed Team event, Ganemat Sekhon had set a new national record in women’s skeet, scoring an impressive 124 out of 125 in the qualification round. Ganemat has been a consistent performer on the international stage, clinching medals at prestigious events such as the ISSF World Cup and the Asian Championships. On the other hand, Raiza Dhillon, who played a pivotal role in Haryana’s gold medal victory, made history by becoming the first Indian woman to qualify for an Olympic skeet event, securing a quota for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
With her stellar performances and rapid progress in Indian skeet shooting, Raiza Dhillon is set to be a key contender in future competitions. The National Games 2025 showcased the talent and determination of these athletes, setting the stage for an exciting future in Indian shooting sports.
