The Paris Olympics are just around the corner, and India is dreaming of winning medals in shooting. The team is strong, with each member having performed exceptionally well in recent times, inspiring hope and excitement. Anjum Moudgil, a key team member, shared her thoughts in a candid chat with RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief, Boria Majumdar. She discussed her preparation, handling pressure, managing mental challenges, and much more.
Boria: Paris Olympics, less than 25 days to go! How is the preparation? How are you mentally doing? How are you getting ready?
Anjum: I am all prepared for Paris and the last couple of weeks or months were a good test for pressure-handling situations and how prepared we are. I am really glad to see how my competitions and the trials went. So, I am in a good frame of mind, all prepared with my routines and going according to what I had planned last couple of months. Looking forward to Paris, all positive!
Boria: The trials were competitive, with full of intent. Do you think that will help you in getting prepared, and is that process good?
Anjum: Yes, I think last time for Tokyo when I qualified, I won the quote three years prior to the games, and maintained that rank for three years to get selected. But it was exhausting and with Covid coming in, it was a very different set of competitions. It was quite challenging to stay away for so long. But this time, it is very different for me. Just peaking at the right time for the selection and keeping that momentum has really helped me. I was not in the main team last year for the Asian Games and World Championships, so used that time and worked on myself and, eventually, I am seeing those results now. So, happy with my performances so far and it is a good way to select the team for Paris.
Boria: Is there anything that you want work on now, particularly? Mental strength, creativity, or something else?
Anjum: Painting just goes hand in hand with my shooting and that is the reason why I can really switch off from shooting, especially when things are not going that great. My mental training is one positive change that I have seen in the last two years since I really focused on my mental health. There are certain ways through which we get our training and helps me to get better. Nothing much I am changing at this moment, just want to keep the same momentum going into the games. Just following the routine that I had planned, not adding anything extra.
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Boria: Are the words ‘Olympic Games’ on the mind of athletes? Is that an issue and will the experience of an Olympic games help?
Anjum: No, there is no issue about it, and the only thing different in an Olympics is the coverage that it gets, the rings, and the names. Other than that, when we are standing on the shooting range, performing with our rifles, those are all similar to every other competition. Same shooting lane, same weapon and, hence, it is all about the mindset. But, of course, these things add a bit of pressure. However, the atmosphere is great and I am happy that the athletes get to experience that. It is just a part of an athlete’s career.
Boria: When people are clapping, shouting when you are performing, is that actually a problem or you can switch off? Is that distracting?
Anjum: For some people, it might be distracting. For some, it might not be! It is very different for every individual and, sometimes, when we are in that zone as we have to be consistent with all 60 shots, it may be disturbing. But we never really focus on what is happening behind us. For me, I really take my time to get into that zone and hence, it takes time for me to get out of that zone. So, it might not be distracting. You do not know what happens on that day, and in finals, we always get loud crowds, spectators enjoying every bit of this. So, I do not think that we mind that. In the matches, we are not used to get such loud noise, but I am sure if someone is in the zone, it will not affect them.
Boria: Overall, some words on the team as expectations are quite high this time around.
Anjum: I think shooting has always high expectations because of how we perform in all the other competitions. The whole team is quite young – only four shooters are going for the second time – and there is no such expectation from the shooters. They are just going to give their best along with their winning mindset. Expectations will always be there. But, as an athlete, it is our job to control these things, as it can be under our control.
Boria: How will you deal with the Olympic pressure? Is there any specific way? Does that have any impact on mental health?
Anjum: There are two types of pressures. A certain pressure is not really good for the athletes, but pressure will always be there. As an athlete, it is our job to face each and everything that is coming. For me, pressure is always a good and a positive thing. I am used to using that pressure to push me, to focus better, to be in that zone better. So, I use that pressure to my benefit and that is my way.
I am fortunate enough to experience that in the Olympic trial. It was another level and not having any Olympic quota, not having any additional points, and having the pressure that I build up, that only somehow pushed me for so many months. The fire within has always been stronger and it is getting more so. If you are a professional athlete, having that control of your mind is required and that works for us.