YOUNG INDIA COMES TO THE FORE

shooters. 16 medals and seven of them gold. India’s shooting stars shone brightest at the CWG and the standout aspect was the presence of sprightly teenagers.

Former shooter and now coach Joydeep Karmakar calls them ‘ Chhota packet bada dhamaka’, as the likes of Bhanwala, Bhaker and Ghosh lit up India’s campaign.

Bhanwala, all of 15 and India’s youngest medallist in the Commonwealth Games history, was a picture of composure in the 25 rapid pistol final.

Bhaker, who also loves karate, cricket, table tennis, martial arts and kabaddi, shot a record 240.9 to grab the top spot in the 10m air pistol event. Asked about her success, she offers a simple view: “Shooting is an uncomplicated sport, take aim and shoot. I just work on my technique, rest happens.”

Marathi mulgi Tejaswini Sawant, 37, continued to set new standards. Her record- shattering show in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions took her overall CWG tally to seven from four editions. Heena Sidhu and Jitu Rai proved why they are ones to look up to. The Armyman won the 10m air pistol title showcasing unflinching determination while Heena, gold medallist in 25m pistol event, credits her husband and coach Ronak Pandit for her outstanding performance.

“I owe it to Ronak for preparing me for the finals and he told me that my best will come in the finals even though my training was never this high,” she said.

For double trap shooter Shreyasi, it was her first gold at CWG — the one she put right up there, while Sanjeev Rajput claimed his maiden Games gold in the 50m rifle 3 position, ending the Indian shooters’ impressive campaign on a high.