From Ladwa to Paris: Ramita Jindal's Journey to the Olympics Final

By Saurabh Duggal

Ramita Jindal’s shooting career began at age 11 when ex-serviceman Jagbir Singh set up a shooting range in Ladwa, a small town in Kurukshetra. Named after Karan from the Mahabharata, this range marked the start of Ramita’s sporting journey. At her debut Haryana State Championship in 2016, she missed out on a medal, an experience that fueled her determination to excel. On Monday, she finished seventh in the 10m air rifle event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Jagbir Singh, a retired Indian Army instructor, remembered, “Initially, Ramita was like any other child exploring various interests. Missing a medal at her first state championship was a turning point. I advised her to focus on improving her shooting rather than dwelling on the loss.” He added, “Though we hoped for a medal in Paris, making it to the finals at her first Olympics is an impressive achievement. I believe she will redeem herself in 2028.”

Ramita, who also excelled academically with a 95 percent score in her 12th board exams in commerce, shifted her focus entirely to shooting after winning a medal at the Junior World Championship in Peru in 2021.

Funding her trip to the Junior World Championship was a challenge. As she was fourth in the national trials, she had to cover her own expenses, while the top three shooters received government funding. Jagbir Singh recalled, “When we learned that Ramita would have to fund her trip herself, I asked her father if he could manage the expenses. His affirmative response allowed her to compete. Ramita won a bronze medal against shooters who had competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This success fueled her ambition and led her to win two medals at the 2023 Asian Games.”

The gold medal at the Junior World Championship went to a French shooter, a Tokyo finalist, and the silver was claimed by an American who had secured silver in Tokyo’s mixed event. Ramita’s bronze in such a competitive field highlighted her potential for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Ramita’s technical skills and discipline have made her a formidable shooter."