Who is Palak Gulia? - Five things to know about the gold medallist at Asian Games 2023

The youngster bagged two medals at the Asiad.

With two back-to-back medals at the ongoing Asian Games 2023, Palak Gulia has etched her name in history books as one of the finest young shooters in India. The 17-year-old bagged a gold in women’s individual 10m Air Pistol and a silver in women’s team 10m Air Pistol event.

Before securing the gold medal, Palak found herself in a trailing position behind Esha Singh. However, with an exceptional performance in the 14th shot, she managed to claim the lead and ultimately finished the final with a total of 242.1 points. On the other hand, Esha Singh from India secured the second position in the event.

In this article, we will explore lesser-known facts about Palak Gulia, now a prominent figure in Indian sports.

Introduction to Shooting

Palak Gulia received her early education in Jhajjar, before subsequently relocating to Gurgaon. During her time in Jhajjar, she actively participated in numerous athletic competitions. However, every athlete begins their journey with a humble start, and Palak's introduction to shooting was no exception.

Prior to discovering the shooting range at her school, she possessed limited knowledge of the sport. Her initiation into the world of shooting occurred in 2019 post the Jakarta edition of the Asiad.

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Shift from Haryana

Palak was born on November 9, 2005, in Nimana Village, Jhajjar, Haryana. Unfortunately, in her village, girls were not encouraged to pursue sports. However, her father, Jogender Gulia, a businessman, made the decision to move the family to Gurgaon to provide Palak with a better environment to focus on her athletic pursuits.

The youngster commenced her professional Air Pistol training in Gurgaon and presently receives training at the esteemed Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, located in New Delhi.

Covid-19 pandemic and Injury

In the wake of the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Palak refrained from practicing. However, with the easing of restrictions and the announcement of national tournaments, she resumed her training diligently, consequently achieving a series of remarkable successes.

In 2022, Palak accomplished notable achievements by securing multiple medals in international competitions. Despite her young age, she exhibited exceptional talent and garnered the top position in the senior category as well. Unfortunately, a slight shoulder injury hindered Palak's performance at the national shooting championships in Bhopal.

However, she triumphed and claimed the gold medal at the prestigious Khelo India Youth Games 2022, which took place at the same shooting range.

Achievements

Palak currently holds the 114th position worldwide in the 10m Air Pistol event. In addition to securing two medals in the Asian Games 2023, Palak has also achieved notable success on the international stage. She has achieved a silver medal at the ISSF World Championship Cairo in the Women's Air Pistol team event.

Additionally, she has secured a silver and a bronze medal in the women's Air Pistol team event and the 10m mixed team Air Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup, Changwon 2022. Furthermore, she has attained two gold medals at the ISSF Junior World Cup, Suhl.

A meet with Neeraj Chopra

Palak Gulia, much like many athletes in India, draws inspiration from the renowned javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra. She expresses her desire to meet him and extend her appreciation for his diligent preparations for significant competitions. Neeraj, who is also participating in the upcoming Asian Games 2023, may have the opportunity to meet Palak in the near future.

In addition to this, Palak who also aspires to achieve a position on the podium in the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024.

This represents merely the commencement of a promising journey for the talented 17-year-old athlete, Palak Gulia. The combination of unwavering dedication and a genuine passion for the sport hold the potential to propel this remarkable young woman from India to unprecedented heights in her professional career.