They are in with a chance to get hardship quotas

THE CREAM of Indian shooters are in Europe right now. They are just warming up for the 42-day stint of training-cum-competition, with a tournament in the Czech Republic. Among the 12, the focus will be on rifle shooters Anjali Vedpathak and Abhinav Bindra, who have a chance to get `hardship quota' for the Sydney Olympics, even ahead of pistol prodigy Jaspal Rana.

Whether they get a quota or not, there is no doubt that Anjali and Abhinav are destined for bigger things, if their recent track records are anything to go by.

The 30-year-old Anjali has been shooting brilliantly in air rifle, making the finals in two World Cups, but failed to qualify narrowly both in air rifle and 3-position events in the Asian championship at Langkawi. The 17-year-old Abhinav Bindra has also been shooting World class scores in air rifle, twice scoring above the World junior record of 593. When he repeats his training scores which touch 596, he will be a force to reckon with in the international arena.

``If you want to polish a diamond, you can do so only with diamond dust. It is important for Indian shooters to be in touch with the international first line'', reasoned the rifle coach of the Indian team, the amiable Laszlo Szucsak.

Stressing the importance of training and competing in Europe because of fine weather, world class conditions and competitors, Szucsak pointed out that the outing would also give a chance for the Indians to check their weapons in leading factories and make necessary adjustments apart from acquiring the `barrel-matching' ammunition, that were so important to shoot high scores.

``It is a highly technical sport. If you don't have the right equipment and matching ammunition, you simply stand no chance to shoot good scores'', emphasised Szucsak.

The team will be competing in Poland, and two World Cups in Italy and Munich, apart from the stint in the Czech Republic.

``There are World champions and Olympic champions in Czech and Poland. Munich is the shooters' Mecca. Italy World Cup is important for everyone'', said Szucsak, strongly underlining the point that these competitions would give the last chance for the likes of Anjali and Abhinav, not to forget Jaspal Rana, to show the world that they were good enough to deserve Olympic participation.

The shooters were all praise for the foreign coach for his key role in helping them polish their technique and guiding them with sound technical knowledge.

``He has made us professional shooters. We have the confidence now that we can compete with the best in the world who are the same like us. We didn't have this confidence before. Szucsak has made us realise the importance of the jacket-trouser, the equipment, the ammunition, the right technique and the temperament apart from hard training to shoot well. The scores have improved dramatically'', said Anjali, a sub-inspector with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

``He has done wonders. He is dedicated and is at the range before everyone. I owe it to him. He understands everybody. Under his guidance, everybody is committed heart and soul. We are hungry for success. There is no lack of commitment'', said Abhinav.

Szucsak himself has been overwhelmed by the response from the shooters within a short period, apart from their considerable potential, which should throw up exciting results in the future.

``The improvement is amazing. Even I was surprised. I can bravely say that we can look for the highest level of performances from the shooters, not just from Anjali and Abhinav, but from others also'', said Szucsak.

Of course, the scores have been phenomenal in recent times. Anjali shot 398 out of 400, a point less than the world record of 399. The chief coach of the Indian team, Prof. Sunny Thomas, was able to put the whole thing in perspective.

``It was a dream for us to shoot 395. But Anjali has been doing it consistently in competitions. If she gets a quota, she can even get a medal in the Olympics. She is calm, concentrates well and has the scope for big achievements'', said Prof. Thomas.

The foreign coach, however, was of the view that it would be too early to expect Olympic medals.

``We can't promise anything for this Olympics. The shooters are training extremely hard, but more time is required'', said Szucsak.

Anjali herself was realistic, not getting carried away by her own high levels of performance in recent times.

``It is a dream for every sportsperson to compete in the Olympics. It is such a big event. You need to prepare at least for four years. We have had only two years of preparation. Luck also counts. The Asian championship was my first competition at the Asian level, and it was my first final. Now, I know where I stand'', said Anjali, assimilating the gains of the international experience.

Anjali sounded confident that, not only would she be able to do something in the World championship next year in Finland, but some of the others who have also been doing well in improving the overall standard of the Indian contingent, would be able to strike big.

Szucsak echoed the sentiments of Anjali as he said, ``next year we will be able to face any challenge. The training is going on well, but the necessary technique and the reflexes are not solid enough at the moment. The ladies rifle event has one of the toughest fields in the world. Anjali has been able to break in there at least in air rifle. She can produce good scores, but the consolidation takes time. Next year or so, she will be ready for higher performance''.

If Anjali has been a revelation, especially with the main rifle shooter Roopa Unnikrishnan unable to sustain her practice and competition stint after marriage and a job in the U.S., Abhinav Bindra has provided a shot in the arm for the shooting contingent, with his exhilarating scores.

``Abhinav is very talented. Score of 590 out of 600 is a common thing for him, and he shoots up to 596 in practice. His body structure, concentration and calm attitude, make him a classy shooter. He is studious, and you can expect a lot from him'', said Prof. Thomas.

Abhinav came for further approval from the foreign coach, as Szucsak said, ``the scores Abhinav has shot are really excellent, especially if you look at his age. He does so much training on his own initiative. He really wants to be a world class shooter, and he is gifted enough to be there with the best. This tour gives him a good chance to prove his ability''.

Abhinav has been shooting in competitions only for the last two years, and has won the national championships in Bangalore and Phillaur. He has been shooting only air rifle, and may add the three-position and prone events after the Olympics. He has finished his Board examinations and looks forward to doing an Economics course in one of the Delhi colleges, even forgoing a chance to go to Oxford, as he believes that a stint in England may not help his shooting.

Abhinav won the bronze in the Asian Championship when the gold and silver medallists booked their quota for the Olympics. But he has not been disheartened.

``We were quite close. But that is the sport. Can't blame it on luck. If I keep training hard, and repeat the world class scores in competitions, when it matters, I am sure to win something. I can compete at the junior level for three more years, so I am looking at the World Championship next year. We have a lot to look up to'', said Abhinav.

The 17-year-old lad was quite enthused about competing with the Olympic hopefuls on the European tour, especially the shooters of his age group in Poland, where he hoped to win something.

``I can't say that I will get gold if I aim for it. The sport is such that even your very best may not be good enough. The difference is very small. But I will try to repeat my practice scores'', said Abhinav.

The confident young man was also looking forward to changing equipment to consolidate his overall preparation.

``The jacket and trouser are supposed to be stiff. But it becomes soft with use, and loses stability'', said Abhinav, highlighting the importance of wearing the right material, and not just wielding the best gun. Abhinav had improved his score from 570 last year to 594, and would be keen to add further substance to his stock with good equipment, during the team's visit to the leading factories.

Anjali has also been spending a considerable amount from her savings, in acquiring new guns and jacket-trousers. With the SAI acquiring one set of jacket-trouser for the shooters recently, she has two sets, one for competition and the other for practice.

``With the changed equipment and ammunition our scores improved dramatically. I was confident of it, and had no hesitation in buying the jacket-trouser for Rs. 20,000 and two guns for about a lakh or so. I did so before the Commonwealth championship and it proved good. When I won the Commonwealth gold with a record, it was a great feeling. I had struggled for eight years, and it was a sweet feeling to come good. Maybe if you get things easily, you can't enjoy success'', said Anjali.

More than the competition and the chance to upgrade equipment, the shooters will have an opportunity to practice in world class ranges.

``In all we will have 22 training days, including the practice days during competition. Training in excellent conditions with electronic target will be great. There is no range in India which is suitable for high level training. The electronic targets are not working and it is also very hot here'', said Szucsak.

``We will have tough competition, practice in good ranges, the weather will be fine and will get to compete in two World Cups. It is a perfect programme'', said Anjali.

The foreign coach summed up by saying that more exposure meant less pressure on the shooters, as they would be at home in international competitions in due course. He, however, advocated more local competition for national level shooters.

``I don't think about medals, and concentrate on performance. If I can repeat what I practice, there is no need to worry about anything'', said Anjali.

Abhinav will not be saddled with shooting alone, as he feels that mere sports would make it boring, and education would be the right supplement.

``Education is a must. But, I am motivated, and like the sport. I am confident that I would maintain my focus, and probably win the Olympics some day'', said Abhinav, who looks forward to shooting for the next ten years to be up there with the best in the business.

They do sacrifice their social life, with their singleminded approach to the sport, for they have made their choice, and have no complaints whatsoever.

``You can't have the best of everything'', said Abhinav, while Anjali observed that it was important for her to make the Indian tricolour fly high by shooting the highest standard.

``The Indian people have to understand the correct attitude towards sports. I will try my best. Shooting suits us, because we have always practised yoga to strengthen mental toughness. we can excel in this sport because it doesn't demand much physical stamina'', said Anjali.

Generally, people do not follow shooting much, but once you understand, it is an addiction.

That is what it is for Anjali and Abhinav. It is a matter of time before the addiction leads to adulation.

KAMESH SRINIVASAN

New Delhi

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Coulthard back on track
Next     : The onus clearly rests on national associations