There are a lot of expectations from the Indian shooting contingent at the Asian Games this year and for good reasons too. In Anish Bhanwala, Elavenil Valarivan, and Manu Bhaker, there are serious medal prospects in the ranks, but for these teenage prodigies, there is the threat of China and South Korea in the discipline.
Aged 15 and 16 respectively, Bhanwala and Bhaker shot into prominence by clinching gold in the 25m and 10m air pistol respectively at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games held earlier this year.
However, it goes without saying that the level of competition at the Asian Games will be several notches higher than the Commonwealth Games. India has managed to win only seven medals across all editions in Asia and this is where coach Jaspal Rana needs to guide his young squad.
Although a lot of focus has been on Bhaker and Bhanwala, there is another 19-year old prodigy, Elavenil Valarivan who has been creating a lot of noise and there is excitement around her medal-winning potential.
"She has been shooting really well. Unlike in the past, the youngsters are doing really well for India. There is a sizeable pool (both in rifle and pistol) which has been doing well. It was not the case earlier," Sanjeev Rajput, who will himself aim for gold in the 50m rifle three positions, said.
Turning our attention to the rifle category, India would certainly miss the services of Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang, but there is a lot of hope attached with Heena Sidhu (pistol), Manavjit Singh Sandhu (trap) and Shreyasi Singh (trap).
Also, youngsters in Apurvi Chandela and Ravi Kumar, who will kickstart India's rifle campaign, have a great chance of clinching a medal as they have been in good form. The duo finished fourth at the World Cup this March.
Despite all the positivity around the group, China is expected to dominate proceedings. Well, they have 50 medals which include a whopping 27 golds in their bag across different editions and will be the hot favourites.
