State shooter makes it to Indian junior squad

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3

Shapath Bharadwaj has become the first shotgun shooter from Uttarakhand to find a place in the Indian team (junior) of double trap. Shapath (12), who exhibited excellent shooting skills in the 58th National Shooting Championship at Patiala recently, is also the youngest member of the squad.

Shapath, while playing in the junior category (12 to 21 years), scored 103 points, finishing 8th in the 58th National Shooting Championship held at Patiala. He received appreciation from the audience, coaches and senior shooters for his consistent performance of 18, 21, 22, 21 and 21 in five rounds.

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has decided to include 12 top shooters of the national championship in the Indian squad. These shooters will undergo trials in Delhi mid-December onwards and get a chance to play in various national and international championships on the basis of their performances in the trials.

Renowned shooter and secretary general of the Uttarakhand State Rifle Association (USRA) Subhash Rana called it a big achievement for the state and congratulated Shapath on his success. "He has brought laurels to the state by getting a place in the Indian squad," said Subhash.

Shapath is also the first shooter from the state to be included into the national squad for the double trap event. He, however, credits his success to coach Yogendra Pal Singh ‘Yogi’, who himself is a renowned international shooter. “Whatever I have achieved is because of my coach and the encouragement given to me by my elder brother Shrey Rana and patron of the USRA and vice-president of the NRAI, NS Rana,” said Shapath, who is inspired by world champion Ranjan Sodhi. “He had been very supportive and helpful,” he added.

Shapath started shooting at the age of 11 and got his first medal (bronze) in the North Zone Shooting Championship held at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi, last year. He won the gold medal in the state shooting championship this year to became the state champion. He also won the gold medal in (junior) and a silver medal in (senior) state championship.