Sartaj Tiwana Triumphs Over Adversity to Win 50m Rifle 3P Gold at KIUG 2025
After a year of emotional turmoil due to his father’s illness, the LPU shooter stages a remarkable comeback in Jaipur
India, Dec 05: Sartaj Tiwana arrived in Jaipur with a singular goal to overcome the mental exhaustion that has shadowed him for over a year due to his father’s prolonged illness and to defend the gold he won at the previous Khelo India University Games. On Thursday, the 23 year old shooter did exactly that, delivering a commanding performance to win the Men’s 50m Rifle 3-Position title at the Jagatpura Shooting Range. He also played a pivotal role in securing the team gold for Lovely Professional University (LPU).
For Tiwana, a final-year Master’s student in Public Administration, the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025 represented a crucial opportunity to rediscover his competitive rhythm ahead of the Senior National Shooting Championships later this month.
“Today’s result was something I manifested for a long time,” Tiwana told SAI Media after his win. “I was undergoing a lot of changes mentally. This milestone is encouraging ahead of Nationals. This was my fourth KIUG appearance, and I’ve always made the podium I didn’t want to break that streak.”
Tiwana has been a consistent performer since his school days, earning an Asian Championship silver in 2023, a fourth-place finish at the World Championships the same year, and a bronze at the World University Games. But his promising trajectory was disrupted in July 2023 when his father, Kultej, was placed on a ventilator due to pneumonitis and later developed a rare case of chickenpox in the lungs.
Forced to leave the National Centre of Excellence at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, Tiwana returned to Mohali to support his family. Watching his father battle life threatening complications drained him mentally, and irregular training affected his form. Even when he managed to practise, his mind was consumed with worry.
Despite the emotional and financial stress, Tiwana persisted largely supported by his Khelo India scholarship — even as he missed several major competitions. His focus remained fixed on returning stronger at KIUG 2025.
Now, with his father recovering, he is working to declutter his mind and rebuild both his mental and physical strength as India begins preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, where team selection will commence with the upcoming Senior Nationals.
The KIUG 2025 final proved to be a defining test, and Tiwana emerged with renewed confidence.
“I’m someone who keeps grinding regardless of results,” he said. “Everyone goes through tough phases I had mine. Things are getting sorted now, and I hope to do well in the future.”
