From Asian Games Omission To World Cup Gold: Udhayveer Sidhu Makes His Case For LA 2028

After missing out on India's Asian Games team, Udhayveer Sidhu has made a statement on the international stage. His coach, Samaresh Jung, speaking to NDTV says he is capable of shooting even higher scores. Udhayveer missed the Asian Games cut after his selection-trial score failed to place him among the top 10 shooters. On Sunday, he beat Germany's Reitz by 0.5 points to win gold, finishing with 240.6 against the German's 240.1. Italy's Paolo Monna took bronze with 219.8.

The final was decided by the last two shots. Trailing Reitz by 0.3 points, Udhayveer shot 10.2 and 9.8. Reitz responded with two 9.6s, handing the Indian the title.

For Udhayveer, the victory is a significant breakthrough after missing out on a major team selection. But Pistol Coach Samaresh Jung's assessment also points to the next challenge: converting his potential into consistently higher scores. In a discipline where selection margins can be as narrow as a point, the World Cup gold strengthens his case, even if it does not settle his place in India's plans for the Los Angeles Olympics.

A one-point contest

The fact that Udhayveer was not selected for the Indian team at the Asian Games does not indicate that he lacked potential; although his trial score did not place him in the top 10, the contest for spots in India's pistol shooting team is fierce.

Samaresh Jung, who is the coach of India's pistol team, drew attention to the small margins that separate the shooters.

"The difference between the top 10 shooters is by 1 point. He is capable of shooting a lot higher than he has done here," Jung said.

Udhayveer qualified fourth for the World Cup final with a score of 585 across six series: 99, 98, 98, 97, 97 and 96. For Jung, that qualification score is evidence of what the shooter can achieve at the highest level.

"Udhayveer's qualification score of 585 can take him to Olympic finals. But he needs to improve on his final score. He can shoot 244," Jung said.

Samaresh's assessment is encouraging. Udhayveer has shown that he can produce a strong qualification round and convert a place in the final into a gold medal. The next step is to raise his scoring level further and reproduce that standard consistently.

The journey behind the medal

Vijayveer Sidhu, Udhayveer's twin brother, took part in the Paris Olympics for India. Although both of them showed great promise as junior pistol shooters, their careers were hampered by financial difficulties following their father's death. Pawan Kumar Singh, who at the time was secretary general of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), first noticed the brothers' promise as a result of their performances at the national level and then helped link Udhayveer with the Olympic Gold Quest, the ongoing support from which enabled the shooter to have greater opportunities for development. It has played an important role in his career. The World Cup victory is now a significant achievement in his own right, regardless of his brother's participation in the Olympics. Vijayveer reached Paris, while Udhayveer has chosen a different path. This most recent performance supports his case for consideration in the next Olympic cycle, although eventually the two brothers' careers will be judged on their individual results.

The road to Los Angeles

Udhayveer should be someone to keep an eye on as India gets ready for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics; he is not yet an established member of the Olympic team and winning the World Cup does not ensure that he will be selected.

He has also failed to take part in the World Championships starting on November 1st. This means that he has lost another chance to compete at a major international event, which makes his results in the later competitions and the selection trials all the more significant.

The success of India's shooting team at the Olympics will depend on obtaining their quota places via the official qualification route and on choosing the shooters who are best suited to turn those opportunities into medals. Participation in eligible continental championships and ISSF events can count towards that pathway, on the condition that the qualification rules for LA 2028 are followed. Simply winning a World Cup medal does not in itself guarantee an Olympic quota.

Udhayveer's aim is to build on the result achieved on Sunday. Jung thinks that his qualification score is already at a level which makes a spot in an Olympic final possible. The coach's request for a higher final score shows what the next area for improvement should be.

There is ample competition among Indian shooters for the spots available. Although one result-no matter how good it may be-cannot resolve the discussion over who will be selected, it can do something else: it can alter the terms of that discussion.

He has gone from failing to meet the qualification standard for the Asian Games to defeating an Olympic champion in order to win a World Cup gold. This accomplishment has given him a boost and a better position for future opportunities. It will be up to him to convert that momentum into consistent performances if he is to make the next step towards the Los Angeles Games.

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