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Anjum Moudgil, a seasoned rifle shooter, is preparing for the Paris Olympics with a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective. Despite the Tokyo Games' shooting setbacks, she remains optimistic and eager to share her lessons with the younger generation of shooters.Moudgil, a 2018 World Championships silver medalist, acknowledges the valuable insights she gains from her younger counterparts, such as Asian Games gold medalist Sift Kaur Samra. She admires their confidence and determination, which inspire her to push her limits and improve daily.In contrast to the extended camps prior to Tokyo, Moudgil has opted for solo training for Paris, seeking guidance from coaches only when necessary. This approach allows her to focus on the finer details and avoid distractions.Moudgil's journey has not been without its challenges. After a successful 2022, where she won World Cup medals and became world No. 1 in women's 50m 3P, she experienced a dip in form. She struggled with imposter syndrome, questioning her abilities despite her achievements.Through mental training and self-reflection, Moudgil overcame her doubts. She realized the importance of self-belief and the need to persevere through setbacks. Her solo training in Budapest has further boosted her confidence, allowing her to explore new techniques and enjoy the city's ambiance.Moudgil's journey from Tokyo to Paris has been marked by setbacks, self-doubt, and resilience. She has emerged stronger from each experience, gaining invaluable lessons that she is eager to share with the next generation of shooters.

Anjum Moudgil, a former world no. 1 shooter, has overcome mental challenges to secure a berth at the Paris Olympics. After being left out of the Indian team for the Asian Games and World Championships last year, Moudgil worked on her mental toughness and focused on her training.Moudgil, who competed in two events in Tokyo, will only participate in the women's 50m 3 position in Paris. She admitted that being dropped from the team for the Worlds and Asian Games due to inconsistent form was an eye-opener."I really took advantage of quotas and trials," Moudgil said. "I was too focused and positive in giving my best in the trials. I knew my strengths and how to work under pressure, and it paid off."Moudgil emphasized the importance of mental health, noting that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set up a Mentally Fit Helpline for athletes. "It's so important for all the federations and IOC to understand," she said. "It's important to understand the mental side, understand how it works for an athlete, understand mental toughness."India has named a strong 21-member shooting contingent for the Paris Games, including many youngsters. Moudgil is confident in the team's abilities. "All of them are confident, the team is doing very well," she said. "My expectation is for everyone to give their best, everyone going with a positive mindset."Moudgil is counting on her difficult Tokyo experience to shine in Paris. "Competing in one rather than two events both have positive and negative sides, but I am happy," she said. "The competition is very high in India and the pressure situations we face during trials will definitely help in Olympics."The shooting competitions of the Paris Olympics will be held at the National Shooting Center in Châteauroux, France. Moudgil is currently in Luxembourg for the final phase of her training before heading to France on July 21st.

The Tokyo Olympics left a lasting impact on the Indian shooting contingent, with many shooters still carrying the scars of a disappointing performance. Deepali Deshpande, the former national coach, described the environment as "depressing," while Anjum Moudgil called it a "controversial end."Only four rifle and pistol shooters from the 14 who competed in Tokyo have a chance to redeem themselves in Paris: Anjum Moudgil, Manu Bhaker, Elavenil Valarivan, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar. Each of these shooters has taken different paths since Tokyo, with Manu reuniting with her personal coach, Anjum experimenting with training coach-less, and Elavenil sticking with the same coaching setup.Anjum has identified two key lessons from Tokyo: to focus solely on herself and to cut the chaos. She has worked on creating a small but positive support group and will approach Paris with a more focused mindset. Elavenil, on the other hand, is feeling the pressure of the nation's expectations but is determined not to let it affect her preparation.Manu, who was a teenager during Tokyo, wants to embrace the chaos and chatter this time around. She plans to continue being herself and doing the things she loves, including playing the violin. She also hopes to play table tennis at the Games Village, something she was unable to do in Tokyo due to the pandemic.The build-up to Paris has a different look, with the shooting events taking place in Chateauroux, where the Indian team had a training camp last year. The absence of the pressure and unusual circumstances that plagued Tokyo is expected to create a more relaxed and enjoyable environment for the shooters."I'm hoping that Paris has a lot to give, and I have a lot to give to Paris as well," said Elavenil.

Anjum Moudgil, a seasoned Indian shooter, has overcome adversity to secure a berth at the Paris Olympics in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event. After a tumultuous year marked by poor performances and missed opportunities, Moudgil has emerged stronger than ever, proving her resilience and determination.Moudgil's journey to redemption began with a string of impressive performances in 2022, including two World Cup medals and a No. 1 ranking in her discipline. However, a series of disappointing outings in 2023 left her feeling shattered and on the brink of despair."It was a very difficult time," Moudgil said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I felt like I had failed myself and everyone who believed in me."Undeterred, Moudgil resolved to rebuild her confidence and regain her form. She took a break from training and spent time alone in Budapest, focusing on the fundamentals of her sport."I had to go back to the basics and figure out what I was doing wrong," Moudgil explained. "I needed to find my own way back."With the support of her husband and fellow shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Moudgil gradually regained her composure and began to train with renewed vigor."Aish has been a great friend and mentor," Moudgil said. "He helped me believe in myself again."At the Olympic selection trials, Moudgil faced a tough challenge, but she rose to the occasion, finishing among the top two in all four rounds. Her performance earned her a spot alongside Sift Kaur Samra in the Indian team for Paris."I'm so grateful for this opportunity," Moudgil said. "I've worked so hard to get back to this point, and I'm determined to make the most of it."Moudgil's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up on one's dreams. Despite setbacks and disappointments, she has emerged as a stronger and more determined athlete, ready to represent India on the world's biggest stage.

Olympian Anjum Moudgil and Paris Olympic Games quota winner Swapnil Kusale emerged victorious in the women's and men's 50m rifle 3-positions events, respectively, at the ongoing Olympic Selection Trials (OST) in Bhopal on Thursday.In the men's 50m rifle 3P final, Kusale, who had finished second in the qualification round with a score of 587, shot 463.7 to secure the gold medal. Akhil Sheoran claimed the silver with 461.6, while local lad Aishwary Tomar took the bronze with 451.9.In the women's 3P final, Moudgil shot 463.9 to clinch the gold medal, leaving India No. 1 Sift Kaur Samra in second place with 462.0. Ashi Chouksey finished third with 447.3 points.The OST also witnessed the qualification rounds for other events. In women's 10m air pistol OST T3 qualification, Olympian Manu Bhaker topped the standings with a score of 577, followed by Palak (576), Esha Singh (576), Surbhi Rao (574), and Rhythm Sangwan (573).In men's 10m air pistol OST T3 qualification, Arjun Singh Cheema finished first with 583 points, ahead of Ravinder Singh (581), Sarabjot Singh (581), Naveen (579), and Varun Tomar (577).In women's 10m air rifle OST T3 qualification, Elavenil Valarivan emerged as the top qualifier with 634.4 points, followed by Tilottama Sen (632.4), Ramita (630.8), Nancy (629.4), and Mehuli Ghosh (628.4).In men's 10m air rifle OST T3 qualification, Arjun Babuta finished first with 632.2 points, ahead of Rudrankksh Patil (632.0), Sandeep Singh (631.6), Divyansh Singh Panwar (631.4), and Sri Karthik Sabari Raj (630.5).The Olympic Selection Trials will continue with further events in the coming days, with the top performers aiming to secure their places in the Indian shooting contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympics.