Eye on the Prize
One of the best rifle shooters to have surfaced in the industry recently, Apurvi Chandela’s performance has been exceptional. We talk to her on what sets her heart racing and her future plans.
Shooting is a testing sport that entails an extensive skill set. How did you get started in shooting? What role does your family play in your career?
Well initially I was never too inclined towards shooting as I was interested in other things, but the 2008 gold medal for Abhinav Bindra changed everything. I started developing a fondness towards the sport. I scored a perfect 10 in one of my first tries with a rifle at a local shooting range. Watching this, my family was incredibly supportive of this new vocation, as my father gifted me a rifle while my uncle built a shooting range in our backyard for me to practice.
Who has had the biggest impact of shaping who you are as a competitive shooter?
My family’s support and my first mentor, Rakesh Manpat’s guidance. They have been the constant support system in life. My family made sure that there was no dearth of facilities and my mentor took care of the technical aspect in my game. I don’t think any of my career successes would have been possible without their help.
Talking about your training. What type of practice do you follow? What’s an average week of training look like for you?
I train almost six hours a day, I also practice a lot of meditation and yoga for mental fitness and concentration.
Do you have any pre-match or post-match rituals that you follow?
Shooting has a lot to do with focus. You need to have nerves of steel to be stable in high-pressure situations and train your mind to steer clear of all distractions. I practice yoga and meditation before any big match, both of which have helped me maintain my composure during tense moments. Post-match it’s all about reflecting on the performance and moving ahead
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about shooting?
My father once told me that ‘the things you take for granted, someone else is praying for; so value what you have, always stay humble and remember that there is no substitute for hard work’.
Who do you look up to in the sport or who do you fashion to be like in the future?
Most certainly Abhinav Bindra, what he has done for the sport is unparalleled. He has motivated many of us to take up the sport and excel in the same. Just like him, I too one day would want to have a podium finish
What do you like to do when you’re not shooting? What hobbies do you have?
My hobbies include reading and travelling, I also love to play basketball when I am not training for an upcoming major tournament. I have three dogs at home, so playing with them is my way of unwinding after a long day of practice.
What are some ideas you have for making your sport better in India?
I think more shooting academies by the government, Shooting is a very expensive sport so it needs a lot of aiding by the ministry. Tapping the talent and nurturing them at a nascent stage would help to create a pool of talent for the future. I also feel current and ex-professional shooters who have represented the country should come forward as mentors to the next generation.
What accomplishment do you consider to be the most significant in your athletic career thus far?
I think winning the gold at the Munich stage of the World Cup and moving to world number one would definitely be right up there, also winning the bronze at the commonwealth games was a big feat. Also winning Gold Medal in 2014 Glasgow commonwealth games has been the most significant win, along with the gold medals I won in Delhi and Munich World Cups.
If you weren’t a shooter, what would you be doing?
I think I would probably be a sports journalist.
From the November-December 2019 issue of FHM India.
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