The depth in Indian shooting has come to the fore, again. At the ongoing Nationals being conducted by the National Rifle Association of India in New Delhi and Bhopal for pistol and rifle, results coming from fearless juniors is brilliant news. Sample this, one more girl from Jhajjar, Haryana has stormed the air pistol arena answering to the name of Suruchi. When this teenager, unheard of, did well in the air pistol main event, juniors and seniors, it was clear that she was on a mission. And on Saturday, she also won the mixed gold. Suruchi trains at the same basic academy in Jhajjar where Manu Bhaker started her career. Four medals for Suruchi in one event is brilliant.
One should not jump to conclusions that the next champion has been born but what stands out as unique is Suruchi has handled the big stage well. The number of entries for pistol and rifle events is in the thousands. Air pistol and rifle events have become a rage where youngsters start training at a young age. The Khelo India programme saw Manu Bhaker make her first beginning before she did well at almost every international event. And at Paris 2024, she peaked, winning two bronze medals, and finished fourth in sports pistol.
Sample the field which Suruchi has competed in. She was ready to shoot without any inhibition and did better than Rhythm Sangwan and Palak Guliya. Manu and Esha Singh did not compete in the Nationals. Suruchi has already notched up a basic good score which will come into the NRAI records when the qualification process for the 2026 Asian Games kicks in next year. There is still a bit of uncertainty as some changes are being proposed by ISSF, the world body. For the present, to do well in the Nationals is a massive achievement for Suruchi.
“Anna, please write about such kids. They are fearless and ready to come out and shoot, minus any fear and face the Nationals. It shows the right attitude. I am sure this one big score Suruchi already has in the air pistol event will give her a head start,” says coach Rana. He has been tracking the Nationals and feels there is no dearth of talent. “There is a big change, today’s youngsters are not worried. They have picked up early and to grow further, they have the confidence. My suggestion is not to put pressure on them. Any fresh talent is good news and four medals is big,” said Rana.
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There was also a good result in the 25-metre sports pistol event last week in New Delhi when Riya Shirish from Pune won the gold medal in a packed field which also had some seasoned pros like Rahi Sarnobat. Riya defeated Simranpreet Brar in the final shoot-off and was oozing confidence. “It is a mental game and I am happy with the way I shot in the final,” said Riya. “The kind of raw scores in qualifying is exciting to watch. Shooting in India will grow and so many new National champions emerging is good. I did watch the sports pistol event and am happy there is depth,” added Rana.
At the shooting ranges in Bhopal, where the rifle events are being held, Adriyan Karmakar, son of Joydeep Karmakar did well to win the 3P gold in the junior section. Trained by his father, Adriyan has been firing consistent scores for a while, training in Kolkata. “I only tell my son not to fear and worry about anything. There is some pressure being a second generation shooter. Adrian missed the senior final by one point, so he is on the right track,” Joydeep told RevSportz. He has been coaching for a long time now and feels there is plenty of depth in Indian shooting. “Happy to be doing my own stuff away from politics,” is Joydeep’s mantra.
Coach Rana, who had started his career as a rifle shooter first, said the 3P is a technical event. “Adriyan is a sweet kid and talented. He is focused and doing the right things. Give him time, he will mature further,” he noted.
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