With parents’ support & coach’s guidance, skeet shooter Raiza Dhillon to debut in Asian Games

Raiza Dhillon, a skeet shooter and former Olympian, will make her debut at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan along with two other Indian athletes, Parinaz Dhaliwal and Maheshwari Chauhan. The 22-year-old from Panchkula started her shooting career due to her father's insistence, Ravijit Singh Dhillon. Growing up in Shamgarh village near Karnal, Haryana, Raiza was surrounded by guns in her family.

Initially, she competed in rifle events at the Gagan Narang Shooting Academy in Pune, but switched to skeet shooting in 2019. Raiza's success includes a bronze at the senior nationals in 2021 and silver medals at the World Junior Championships in Lima, Peru, and the Asian Championships in Changwon, Korea. She also secured a spot for India in the Paris Olympics with a silver medal.

Despite the stress of competing at a young age, Raiza credits shooting for enhancing her confidence and outlook on life. She trains with her coach, Riccardo Filippelli, and her parents, Ravijit and Gul Dhillon, who have provided emotional support throughout her journey.