Akhil Sheoran’s journey from Olympic heartbreak to standing on the podium at the ISSF World Cup 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable. Securing the bronze in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event, Sheoran candidly reflected on his comeback, revealing the mental and emotional shift that helped him reframe his career.
When asked about the journey from his Olympic disappointment to his latest success, Sheoran spoke with clarity. Sheoran had made the Olympic quota but failed to qualify for the finals at the Olympics. “There’s not much to talk about; I’ve had enough time to process everything,” he said. “What’s gone is gone, now I’m preparing myself with a different mindset. I have raised my limits, pushed them, and have higher goals.”
The decisive jump from 6th to 3rd
Sheoran’s bronze wasn’t just about skill; it was about digging deep when it mattered the most. After hovering around the 6th-7th position, he made a decisive leap to claim third place. “To be very honest, they announced my name and said, ‘he finished 5th in the last World Cup finals’, and I thought to myself, ‘I have to improve that position,’ and I pushed myself with whatever I had,”said Sheoran.
In the gruelling 45-shot final, the Indian shooters struggled early, starting off in the lower ranks during the standing round. However, Sheoran found his rhythm in the second series, the prone position, where he shifted gears and made a remarkable climb from sixth to joint third, tying with the Czech Republic’s Jiri Privratsky, who later went on to claim the silver.
Sheoran’s bronze medal was the only one on a disappointing day for the Indian contingent. His countrymate Chain Singh had been eliminated from the contestat the 7th position in the 8–shooter final.
The shooting revolution in India
Sheoran also reflected on the broader landscape of Indian shooting, expressing optimism about the country’s future on the global stage. “We are on the right track,” he said. “I’m sure with this revolution, we’re going to get a lot more medals in the next Olympics. We have a good team and youth. We have athletes who have experience and potential, as well as a good coaching and support staff.”
Sheoran’s performance was aided by the enthusiastic support from the crowd, something he didn’t expect to have such a profound impact on him. “To be really honest, at first glance, they were making us really nervous, but they were cheering for us, and that gave us a lot of strength,” he said. “When I shot well, they were cheering me on, and I realised that they’re here to support me, and it helped.”
Following the Indian shooting contingent’s strong showing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, there has been a surge of interest in the sport, with crowds eager to rally behind their shooters at tournaments.
As Sheoran looks ahead, this bronze medal is a reminder of his resilience, his hunger for improvement, and his belief in the future of Indian shooting. This achievement is just a step on his journey to even higher goals.