Indian shooter Shapath Bharadwaj is young in age but big on achievement and he is now harbouring hopes of a podium finish in at least one of the three ISSF World Cups in his maiden outing with the senior team.
The giant strides he had taken over the past couple of years paved the way for his selection in the senior team for the year's first three Cups at a tender age of 14, an Indian record.
The son of a journalist couple, Shapath is gearing up for his maiden foray in senior category after some incredible performances in the junior ranks. Born in Dehradun, his first competitive outing will be the one in Delhi beginning February 23.
"First thing is I am going into these tournaments with the hope of gaining experience since this is my first time in international senior events. Having said that, I would be more than happy if I am able to win in at least one of the three World Cups," Shapath told PTI.
He has excelled consistently in the junior circuit, on the back of which he made it to the senior team.
"Juniors, as expected, were different. As we approach the World Cup I feel there is more responsibility on me," Shapath, a ninth standard student of St Mary's Academy in Meerut, said after a training session.
Shapath's career has been shaped by his coach Yogendra Pal Singh, who trains him at the Karni Singh range in Tughlaqabad, tucked in one corner of the capital.
Shapath was first spotted in 2014 by Olympian Ronjan Singh Sodhi, one of the finest exponents of double trap shooting in India.
"Ronjan sir is like a mentor, he is actually my mentor. He focuses on the mental side of training, while my coach (Yogi) takes care of the technical bit. He tells me about the corrections needed to be made, adjustments and all," Shapath, who also looks up to American double trap legend Richmond Joshua, said.
For his success, Shapath gives credit to his coach, his mental trainer Seema Sharma, a clinical psychologist, and of course Sodhi.
Asked how it all started for him, Shapath said a beginning was made due to his elder brother, who was also a shooter.
"Actually my elder brother used to practice and once or twice I accompanied him to the range. Then, gradually, my interest in the sport grew," said Shapath, and there has been no looking back since.
While Shapath has proved his mettle time and again, he has a solid support system, which has played an influential role in harnessing his talent to the fullest.
"We worked as a team. We provided the back-end support and logistics, whatever he required," said his father S Raju, who is based in Meerut.
Talking about the struggles, Raju said, "More than 200 kms, we would cover from Meerut to Delhi for his two-hour training at Karni Singh Range.
"We have been following this routine since September 2014. Sometimes I would stay back with him for a day, sometimes my wife (Swati Sharma), who is working at Statesman, would rent a room near the range whenever there was a camp," Raju said.
The proud father thanked Credai -- apex body of Private Real Estate Developers Associations -- for agreeing to sponsor his son.
"Credai has given him sponsorship in May 2016 after its president Getambar Anand recognised his talent, that helped a lot. They give him Rs 50000 per month.
"We had also also applied in ONGC, Indian Oil for sponsorship.
