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Suma Shirur, the legendary Olympian and former chief coach of the Indian Shooting team, has been bestowed with the prestigious Coach of the Year (Female) award at the Indian Sports Honours 2024. This accolade recognizes her exceptional contributions to Indian shooting and her unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality in sports.As the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic final, Shirur has played a pivotal role in guiding the Indian shooting team to unprecedented success at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Under her mentorship, India's shooters have claimed three Olympic medals, including a historic gold medal for Avani Lekhara in the Women's 10m event at the Paralympics.Shirur's coaching philosophy emphasizes resilience, focus, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. She has created a nurturing environment where athletes can thrive and reach their full potential. Her dedication to developing young talent is evident through her Lakshya Shooting Club, which has mentored over 200 national-level shooters.Beyond her coaching achievements, Shirur is a passionate advocate for gender parity in sports. She believes that every athlete, regardless of gender, deserves equal opportunities to excel. Her efforts have inspired countless young girls and women to pursue their dreams in shooting and other sports.The Indian Sports Honours is a prestigious event that celebrates the extraordinary achievements of Indian athletes, coaches, and teams. The esteemed jury panel, led by Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, carefully selected Shirur for this award based on her exceptional contributions to Indian shooting.In accepting the award, Shirur expressed her gratitude and emphasized her commitment to fostering a culture of excellence in Indian sports. She said, "This honor is not just mine but belongs to every athlete and team member who worked alongside me. Our journey was defined by dedication, and this award reinforces our shared goal of lifting Indian shooting to new heights."Suma Shirur's achievements and unwavering dedication to Indian shooting and gender equality serve as an inspiration to athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts alike. Her legacy will continue to shape the future of Indian sports for generations to come.

Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker has attributed her resilience and patience to the challenges she faced early in her career. Bhaker, 22, made history at the Paris Games by becoming the first Indian since Independence to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.Despite her success, Bhaker remains unfazed by criticism, choosing to focus solely on her career. After taking a break from shooting post-Olympics, she is now pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration from Panjab University, Chandigarh."I'm grateful for the setbacks I've faced," Bhaker said. "They've taught me patience and resilience. I don't let social media chatter bother me. My focus is on my sport."Bhaker expressed gratitude for the support she has received throughout her journey, particularly from those who have helped her stay mentally and physically prepared. She also acknowledged the importance of setting realistic goals and taking breaks to reset."This break is a pause, not a complete stop," she explained. "I'm still preparing for future competitions. I'm in constant touch with my coach, Jaspal Rana, and we're planning strategies for the future."Bhaker emphasized that she has maintained her fitness during her break. "I've been monitoring my fitness regularly," she said. "I'm grateful to DAV United Foundation for their support and recognition."Bhaker's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, demonstrating the importance of perseverance, resilience, and a unwavering focus on one's goals.

Shooting League of India: NRAI Announces First-Ever Franchise-Based LeagueThe National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has unveiled plans for the "Shooting League of India," the country's first-ever franchise-based league for the sport. The proposal, spearheaded by NRAI president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, has been approved by the federation's governing body.The league's inaugural edition is scheduled for March, pending approval from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). Deo expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating that the recent success of Indian shooters at the Paris Olympics has fueled its popularity."We believe that this is the right moment to launch a league," Deo said. "Franchise leagues have proven successful in popularizing sports, attracting new audiences, and generating revenue for athletes."The league aims to enhance the sport's self-sustainability and provide a platform for athletes to showcase their skills. At the Paris Olympics, Indian shooters made history by winning three medals in a single sport for the first time.Deo acknowledged the challenges of adapting shooting for television, but expressed confidence in the league's format. "We have deliberated extensively and feel that we have arrived at a winning formula," he said.The league's launch is expected to further elevate the profile of shooting in India and provide a boost to the sport's development. It will also offer a unique opportunity for fans to engage with the sport and its athletes.

Olympic double medalist Manu Bhaker recently made her debut on the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week 2024. Her confident walk went viral on social media, garnering both praise and criticism.Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics 2024, faced negative comments from some quarters. However, she responded with a message of positivity and self-belief."Don't limit yourself to anything, make your life big, your career shiny and your parents proud," she wrote on Instagram. "Haters will hate, lovers will love, you do you."Bhaker's message resonated with many, who praised her for her resilience and determination. She emphasized the importance of pursuing one's dreams and not being deterred by negativity.Despite the criticism, Bhaker remains focused on her shooting career. She will resume training in November and return to competitive shooting next year."I will be back for the training in November and to the match maybe by next year," she said. "I will follow all the action thoroughly."Bhaker's break from shooting after the Olympics was pre-decided by her and her coach, Jaspal Rana. She had been facing injuries due to pistol recoil."I do feel like competing," she said. "But before Olympics, my coach had told me to take three months off."Bhaker expressed happiness at being able to spend time with her family after a long time. She also emphasized the importance of the ISSF World Cup Final for young shooters."To play here is a big experience in itself," she said. "Players should make the most out of it, give their best and not be afraid."Bhaker's message of positivity and determination serves as an inspiration to all who face criticism and adversity. She reminds us that it is possible to overcome negativity and achieve our goals with hard work and self-belief.

Indian Olympic medalist shooter Manu Bhaker has announced her plans to resume training in November and return to competitive shooting next year. Bhaker, who won two medals at the recently concluded Paris Olympics, shared her intentions during a media interaction in Delhi ahead of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Final.Bhaker's decision to take a break from shooting after the Olympics was a pre-planned move, as advised by her coach Jaspal Rana. "I do feel like competing, but before the Olympics, my coach had told me to take three months off since I was facing injuries due to pistol recoil," she explained.During her break, Bhaker has enjoyed spending time with her family and indulging in homemade food. "I am happy that I got a chance to spend time with my family after a long time. I eat homemade food and enjoy it a lot," she said.Bhaker expressed her excitement about the upcoming ISSF World Cup Final, which she believes is a valuable platform for young shooters. "To play here is a big experience in itself. Players should make the most out of it, give their best, and not be afraid," she advised.At the Paris Olympics, Bhaker and her partner Sarabjot Singh secured bronze in the 10 M Air Pistol Mixed team event, defeating South Korea's Lee Wonho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10 in the bronze medal play-off match. Bhaker also opened India's medal tally in the Olympics by securing third place in the women's individual 10m air pistol event, becoming the first-ever woman shooter to win an Olympic medal for India.Following that, Sarabjot Singh and Bhaker won the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol (mixed team) event, which was India's first-ever shooting team medal. In her final event, Bhaker narrowly missed out on a historic grand treble and finished fourth in the women's 25m pistol shooting event.Bhaker's achievements at the Paris Olympics have cemented her status as one of India's most promising shooting talents. Her return to training in November and competitive shooting next year is eagerly anticipated by fans and supporters alike.

India's dominance at the ongoing ISSF Junior World Championship continued as the trio of Mukesh Nelavalli, Raajwardan Patil, and Harsimar Singh Rattha clinched the gold medal in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol team competition. This triumph marked India's 11th gold medal at the championship, further solidifying their position at the top of the medal tally.Mukesh Nelavalli, who had already secured an individual gold in the 25m pistol event, added another gold to his tally with this team victory. India's medal count now stands at 16, including one silver and four bronze medals. China trails in second place with three gold and one silver medal.In the individual finals, both Mukesh and Raajwardan advanced to the next round. However, Raajwardan finished fourth with 17 hits in the first six series, while Mukesh exited earlier, finishing fifth with 10 hits out of 25 targets.In the junior men's 50m rifle prone event, Parikshit Singh Brar emerged as the top Indian finisher, scoring 623.0 over 60 shots. Shivendra Bahadur Singh placed 14th with 618.4, while Vedant Nitin Waghmare came in 24th with a score of 613.2.India's impressive performance at the ISSF Junior World Championship is a testament to the country's growing strength in shooting sports. The young shooters have showcased their talent and determination, bringing glory to India on the international stage.

India's shooting contingent continued their golden run at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Lima, Peru, adding five more gold medals to their tally on day four. Divanshi and Mukesh Nelavalli emerged as the stars of the day, claiming two gold medals each.Divanshi Nelavalli showcased her exceptional precision in the women's 25m pistol event, edging out Italian Cristina Magnani by a narrow margin of two points. She also teamed up with Tejaswini and Vibhuti Bhatia to secure gold in the junior women's 25m pistol team competition.Mukesh Nelavalli, who had already won gold in the mixed team event, added two more to his collection. He triumphed in the junior men's 25m pistol individual event, followed by compatriot Suraj Sharma who clinched silver. Nelavalli also played a crucial role in India's victory in the junior men's 25m pistol team event, alongside Sharma and Pradhyumn Singh.India's dominance extended to the rifle events as well. The trio of Shourya Saini, Vedant Nitin Waghmare, and Parikshit Singh Brar shattered the junior world record in the elimination round of the junior men's 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) team competition. They went on to claim gold, with Norway and Sweden finishing second and third respectively.With these impressive performances, India's overall medal count at the championship rose to 14, including 10 gold, one silver, and three bronze medals. The United States and Italy trailed behind with 10 and 8 gold medals respectively.

Indian shooters commenced their ISSF Junior World Championship campaign in Peru with a resounding start, securing team gold medals in both the men's and women's 10m air pistol events. However, a potential individual gold medal was lost due to a two-point penalty for reporting late to the final.In the men's 10m air pistol team competition, the trio of Umesh Choudhary, Pradhyumn Singh, and Mukesh Nelavalli emerged victorious with a combined score of 1726 points. They outshot Romania by 10 points, while Italy claimed the bronze with 1707 points.Choudhary, who had qualified third for the individual final, missed out on a potential gold medal after being penalized two points for tardiness. Despite shooting 580 in the qualification round, he finished sixth in the final. Singh, who qualified fourth, ended up eighth with a score of 578. Romania's Luca Joldea clinched the individual gold, while Chinese Taipei's Hsieh Hsiang-Chen took the silver.In the women's 10m air pistol team event, the Indian trio of Kanishka Dagar, Lakshita, and Anjali Chaudhary combined for a score of 1708 points, edging out Azerbaijan by a single point and Ukraine by four points.Dagar also qualified for the individual final in third place with a score of 573, along with Kanika, who shot the same score but with fewer inner 10s. In the final, Kanika secured the bronze medal with a score of 217.6, while Dagar finished eighth. Chinese Taipei's Chen Yu-Chun won the gold, and Slovakia's Manja Slak took the silver.

Manu Bhaker, India's shooting star, etched her name into Olympic folklore by becoming the first Indian markswoman to secure a podium finish in the 10m air pistol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her historic bronze medal was followed by a second bronze in the mixed team event, making her India's first athlete to win two medals in a single Olympics since independence.Bhaker's success was not without its challenges. After a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, she drew inspiration from the Bhagwat Gita, particularly the famous quote, "You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work." This mantra fueled her determination to overcome adversity and achieve her Olympic dream.Beyond her shooting prowess, Bhaker is known for her strong support system. She credits her coach and fellow athletes for their unwavering support, emphasizing the importance of emotional connections for an athlete's well-being. Her role model, badminton superstar PV Sindhu, has been a constant source of inspiration, with Bhaker even creating fake profiles to defend Sindhu on social media.Bhaker's double bronze feat has brought her a wave of new opportunities and responsibilities. She has become a national icon, carrying the Indian flag during the closing ceremony of the Paris Games. Her success has also inspired others, reminding them of the power of determination and resilience.In a recent interview, Bhaker shared her daily routine, which includes yoga, shooting practice, physical fitness, and time for relaxation. She also spoke about her memorable interaction with Neeraj Chopra, India's javelin throw champion, who shared his insights on the pressures of competition and the importance of mental strength.Bhaker's journey is a testament to the transformative power of sport. Her achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams. As she prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Bhaker remains determined to continue her legacy of excellence and inspire future generations.