Asian Games is like second Olympics for us: Anjali Bhagwat

India has sent a 28-member strong contingent with a mix of youth and experience

anjali-bhagwat-reuters (File) Anjali Bhagwat | Reuters

Olympian Anjali Bhagwat sounded a word of caution as far as India’s medal hopes from shooting are concerned. India has sent a 28-member strong contingent with a mix of youth and experience.

She was speaking to the media at the launch of a private-funded training facility for upcoming athletes. With the Asian Games set to kick off in two days, questions related to India’s preparedness were inevitable. According to the 10m air rifle former world number one, “there are few events which are no more there in the Games”.

“It has always been tough for India at Asian Games. I have always maintained that the Games are like second Olympics for us. Even in the past if you have seen, we tend to get more medals in team events than individual. Now even those have been trimmed.”

India will be represented by several youngsters like Manu Bhaker, Anish Bhanwala in pistol, and Elavenil Valarivan in rifle. Bhagwat had a piece of advice for all those having high expectations from these teen stars, especially post the Commonwealth Games performances earlier this year. “Forget Commonwealth Games, look at Asian games as a platform for World Championships where we will have Olympic quotas on the offer. I can only say that if a person wins a gold medal at the Asian Games, he or she will 100 per cent make it to the finals of Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” Bhagwat said.

The World Championships in Changwon, Korea, will start on August 31—close on the heels of Asian Games—and continue till September 15. The National Rifle Association of India has picked a slightly different squad for the quadrennial event, fielding a 34-member strong squad which includes seasoned pros like Gagan Narang.

Speaking about the junior champions, Bhagwat said, “They have nothing to lose, just go and shoot. It was like I went to Sydney Olympics 2000 and reached the finals. When you get seasoned, you start having expectations from yourself. Yes, there is a huge difference in scores if one is competing in the Junior World Cup and senior World Cup, in terms of scores but it doesn’t mean you cannot shoot it. One must take advantage of age. When you get older—28-30—there is always the issue of stability, pressure and reflexes.”