Fifteen-year-old Sandrata Roy is quietly emerging as one of West Bengal’s brightest shooting prospects. Hailing from Shyamnagar, Sandrata announced her arrival on the national stage by clinching gold in the Junior Mixed Team 10m Air Rifle event at the 68th National Rifle & Pistol Shooting Championships in Bhopal.
Born and raised in West Bengal, Sandrata’s introduction to shooting came through her father, a former defence personnel. “One of my father’s colleagues suggested that I try shooting,” she recalls. “Even before that, I was fascinated by the balloon-shooting games at local fairs. I really enjoyed them, and my father noticed that interest.”
She first picked up a rifle at the age of nine and began training seriously by eleven. Her connection with the 10m Air Rifle event, she says, is instinctive. “I just love 10m Air Rifle. There’s no other reason.” Those early balloon popper rifles, perhaps, were the catalyst.
Despite India’s rich legacy in the discipline, Sandrata prefers to keep pressure at bay. “It is a responsibility, but for me, enjoying the sport is more important. I just do what I love,” she says.
A Class 10 student at East Point School, Sandrata follows a demanding daily routine that revolves around training. She currently trains at the Bengal Rifle Shooting Academy (BRSA), where she has access to professional coaching, fitness training, physiotherapy, and nutritional support. “They have everything. Whenever I have pain or need help, they are always there,” she explains.
Speaking about BRSA chief coach Bibaswan Ganguly and his team, Sandrata says, “They are always helpful and push me to improve my game with every shot I take.”
Having recently been selected for the Junior Asian Shooting Championships 2026, Sandrata is preparing for what will be her first international competition. “Right now, I’m focusing on nationals. After that, I’ll plan specifically for the Asian Championships,” she says.
The competition at the national level, she admits, is fierce. “I would rate it nine out of ten. In India, the competition is almost international level – sometimes even tougher.”
Mentally, she keeps things simple. “I listen to music and read books to improve my focus,” she says. Her inspiration comes from fellow Bengali shooter Mehuli Ghosh, whom she considers her role model.
When it comes to the national pool, Bengal has traditionally lagged in overall contribution. “Yes, but now a lot of young, talented shooters are taking up the sport in Bengal,” she says. “My personal coach, Koel Dalmiya ma’am, provides coaching to so many young athletes, and such academies are increasing in number.”
Looking ahead, Sandrata’s ambitions are clear. “In the next five or six years, I want to play as many international matches as possible and prepare for the 2028 Olympics.”
“I want to win medals for India at the Olympics, and that’s the ultimate dream,” she adds.
Behind her journey stands a deeply supportive family. “We are a Bengali middle-class family, and my father is the only earning member right now. Shooting is an expensive sport,” she says honestly. “My parents and grandparents try their best to support me. But you can understand, it’s tough.” Currently without sponsorship, she continues to rely on her family’s belief and sacrifice.
As more young shooters from Bengal begin to break through, Sandrata Roy’s rise signals a promising shift. Quiet, focused, and fiercely determined, she represents a new generation ready to put Bengal firmly on India’s shooting map.
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