Shooting...

Chaudhary was introduced to shooting by his father Jagmohan Singh; his first ‘weapon’ was a dummy pistol made of cast iron. “He made rapid progress,” said Sheoran. On Tuesday, Chaudhary shot with a top-end Morini pistol worth over Rs 1 lakh bought by his father. “It was tough, but we managed somehow,” said Chaudhary’s brother Nitin.

Maybe all this explains why Chaudhary was so reticent in his hour of glory. Even as the range erupted in celebrations, Chaudhary packed his gun and equipment and headed to the rest room. “I played without pressure,” he said simply.

“It’s been an hour-and-a-half since my competition ended but still I haven’t been able to speak to my parents. We have a landline at home, so I’ll call them once I’m through with the ceremony,” he said.

Even during the presentation ceremony, Chaudhary looked stoic as the Indian tricolour went up. Was he overawed? Had it still not sunk in? Chaudhary didn’t elaborate. He didn’t need to. His pistol had done the talking. Back home, his family remained glued to the television to watch his event. Minutes after Chaudhary won gold, his mother, Brijesh said: “What you see is an outcome of three years of Saurabh’s hard work and elders’ blessings.”

The feat earned him a cash award of Rs 50 lakh and a job promise from Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “16-year old Saurabh Chaudhary illustrates the potential and prowess our youth is blessed with. This exceptional youngster brings home a Gold in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol event at the @asiangames2018. Congratulations to him!”

India’s only individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, who won the 10m air-rifle at the 2008 Beijing Games, tweeted: “Superb show by young Saurabh !! Many many Congratulations. We must pledge support to these young athletes for a sustained period of time irrespective of results. They have the ingredients for Olympic success. Needs persistent support irrespective.”

India’s first individual Olympic silver medallist, double trap shooter RVS Rathore, tweeted: “The INCREDIBLY talented #Saurabhchaudhary has truly arrived! WELL DONE, young man! Proud of you!”

Clinching an Olympic quota for India at the world championships in Changwon, South Korea, next week is Chaudhary’s next target. “But first, I will fly to India to meet my family and coach Amit Sheoran. He has been my mentor for three years and the