Gajanan, son of a chappal vendor, is capturing star at Khelo India University Games

Wednesday was a watershed day for 22-year-old shooter Gajanan Shahadev Khandagale on the Khelo India University Games (KIUG). After profitable a full go well with of medals within the 10m air rifle occasion; bronze in particular person, silver in males’s group and gold in combined group, he known as residence to thank his dad and mom for the sacrifice they made lately. Last yr, his dad and mom offered the one parcel of land they owned and used the cash to purchase Gajanan a rifle. The land was barren, Gajanan stated however the household having to half with it weighed on him.

“My parents readily agreed to sell land to fund my passion for shooting. I used to participate in the 50m Rifle 3 Position event but switched to the 10m air rifle event because the pellets were cheaper. But it is not easy to be a shooter, especially for those like me who don’t have big bank balances. My father Shahadev runs a chappal shop in our village and my mother Somitra works on other people’s fields. It is on days like today when I stand on the podium with medals around my neck that I believe the sacrifices were worth it,” Gajanan informed The Indian Express.

Gajanan is from Talwada village in Beed, Maharashtra. There isn’t any capturing vary close by however Gajanan had received hooked onto PubG, the cell recreation. There isn’t any comparability between the abilities required to play a web-based recreation {and professional} capturing. But he stated his ears perked up when he heard in regards to the capturing camp to be performed for the National Cadet Corps.

“I was excited when I heard about the shooting camp. Because of PubG I liked the idea of shooting. I thought, why play only on a screen. Why not hold a real gun and shoot. I could win medals,” Gajanan stated about his initiation to the game.

When Gajanan wanted a capturing equipment, his dad and mom borrowed about Rs 40,000 and dug into their financial savings.

However, the cash was nicely spent.

Gajanan created a brand new document at thirtieth All India GV Mavalankar Shooting Championship with 397 factors out of 400 in Qualification Round of 10m Air Rifle. Six months later, in April this yr, he additionally scored 630.3 within the 10m Air Rifle National Trials Qualification spherical, ending on prime. Gajanan who represented the Savitribai Phule Pune University goals to interrupt into the Indian group and win medals for the nation on the Olympics.

“My aim is to go to the Olympics. It has not been easy to pursue shooting but I know if I continue to work hard I will be able to fulfil my dreams. When I started shooting, I had no idea about how expensive the sport can be. Besides expensive equipment and gear, the cost of travelling, diet, and maintaining physical fitness, was too much to bear. But I have made it so far and I know I can achieve more in the sport,” he stated.