S Kannan in New Delhi
Indian shooting has once again raised hopes of medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024. As the curtain came down on the Asian Shooting Championships in Changwon, South Korea, India finished with a whopping aggregate of 55 medals. The best part of that were the six quota places sealed with bang in this most important pf year-end events.
Not having done too well in the World Championships in Baku before the Asian Games, there was pressure on the shooters to do well in Changwon. That India now has 13 quota places is a clear sign of the sport being in good health. “We can certainly win more quota places as well and aim for the maximum of 24,” said Gagan Narang, 2012 Olympics bronze medallist and the brain behind Gun For Glory. “Why not?”
Having seen Indian shooting’s progress for close to two decades, Gagan is clued in. Just that instead of a rifle in his hand these days, he shoots incredible pictures with his camera. He is a wildlife lover and says he does not spend too much time on the ranges. But that is more of a jocular remark, as he loved watching the Indians do well at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
“There has been a generational shift in shooting,” Gagan told this writer. “These youngsters are definitely very mature and hungry. I see medals coming in Paris.”
India has won quota places in different shooting disciplines, though Anish Bhanwala and Manu Bhaker peaking in Changwon was praiseworthy. These two had gone through bad phases and overcoming hurdles at the right time was important.
Asked about the difference between the last Olympics in Tokyo and Paris 2024, Gagan spoke of a few big factors. “I think post-Covid, shooters all over the world are competing in a more relaxed manner,” he said. “It’s the same for Indians as well, plus how strong the crop is today.”
One man who has watched Indian shooting closely as a champion in the trap and double-trap disciplines, Moraad Ali Khan, said “Indians are fearless today”. Moraad had mentored Ronjan Sodhi.
“At the highest level, shooting is a mental sport,” said Moraad, who is part of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) selection committee. “When I spent time with Ronjan and he won gold at the Asian Games (2010), it was all about preparing for the event mentally. The good part is, we have won quota places this time where the shooters also clinched medals. That is important as it shows the high level of confidence.”
Asked to
explain the rise of Indian shooting, Moraad was quick with his reply. “From my time to now, the Indian shooters have better facilities, exposure and full support from the Indian government,” he said.
Indian shooting won its first Olympic medal in 2004 in Athens when Col RVS Rathore won silver in the double trap. After that, in Beijing, Abhinav Bindra won gold in 2008, a historic high for India. At the London Olympics in 2012, India won two medals, silver through Vijay Kumar and Gagan Narang’s bronze.Failures in the 2016 Rio Olympics and the postponed Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, had made fans pessimistic about Indian shooting. However, the majority feel Indian shooting is peaking again. What is different is that the shooters are fearless and handle pressure well.
“I would happy if India can win more quotas places for Paris,” said Jaspal Rana, a Dronacharya award winner as coach. “Having helped out Manu Bhaker, all I can say is her hunger is intact. I am sure this time the Indians will do well and make up for previous failures in Rio and Tokyo.”
When the Indian shooting contingent left for a month-long camp in Croatia prior to the Tokyo Olympics, there was hope that they would buckle down and train hard. However, there were plenty of distractions in Croatia, according to insiders present there.
The NRAI has learnt hard lessons from failures in two successive Olympics. In this Olympic cycle, there have been outstanding performances, overall. Yet, the selection policy is such that one would not know till June 2024 which shooters get to represent India in Paris. It may appear taxing for the shooters, but the policy has now found acceptance amongst all, wherein scores in competitions, winning quotas and last-minute “trials” average will be criteria.
Indians winning quota places in 2022 and 2023 does not mean they will be in the best form in 2024. Maybe, this method will determine how tough the shooters are both in terms of technique and temperament. “I have enough time to prepare and train,” Manu Bhaker told RevSportz. “The key is to mentally be focused.”