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Championship in February. Basil Sylvester Pinto caught up with the 16-year-old precocious talent in an exclusive tête-à -tête
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Q: When did you discover your passion for shooting?
Yash Padloskar: My dad introduced me to shooting at the age of eight. After a year or two, I began to get interest towards the sport. At first, it was only fun to me, but then as I got more involved, it became a career, a passion.
Q: Tell us about your preparation for the first-ever Junior World Cup…
YP: Physically, I have been training hard. I have been running, doing cardio as also lifting weights. Most importantly, I am doing meditation. I have been practicing shooting with my coach, Anjali Bhagwat in Pune. While in Goa, I wake-up at 5.30 am, ready myself to go to the Peddem Ground to work on my physical fitness only to return by 8.30 am. By 9 am, I began to practice at the shooting range we have at home which continues until 1 pm. Then, I break for lunch only to return to the shooting range at 3 pm for another four-five hours of gruelling practice. This has been my routine in the State for the last one month. Very recently, I was in Pune for a strenuous five-day practice with my coach, Anjali Bhagwat. I used to be at the range as early as from 7 am until 5 pm for practice, and thereon at 6.30 pm break for physical training at the ground.
Q: What tips did your coach give you ahead of the Junior World Cup?
YP: She has given me tips regarding my posture whilst shooting, how to aim, how to coordinate my breathing with my concentration, how to maintain focus and self-confidence.
Q: Which are the various disciplines you would participate in?
YP: I would be competing in five categories. 10 m air rifle, 50 m rifle three positions, 50 m rifle prone position, 300 m rifle three positions and 300 m rifle prone position. In 10 m, you need a lot of concentration while for 300 m, you need practice, live fire. Incidentally, I hold the National Record for 300 m rifle three positions with a score of 1160 points in the Senior Category. I also hold the National Record in the Junior Category for 300 m rifle three positions.
Q: With shooting being an expensive sport, what financial barriers did you face?
YP: As we have no range in Goa for 50 m and 300 m, I have to go to Pune for practice. With me having to go there to pursue my training, it is very expensive when you take into the account the cost of stay, food and practice at the range. If the range was there in Goa, the expenses of stay in hotel and eating out could be cut and these expenses to an extent could be invested in some shooting equipment. On a monthly rental basis for the flat we have taken up in Pune we pay Rs 14,000, then the cost of the range for practice is Rs 3,000 (monthly), use of locker room Rs 1,500 (monthly), daily food (tiffin system) Rs 200. If we do not take up rent, and I have to go for shooting to Pune suddenly, there is no immediate stay as hotels are generally booked and the cost also is quite steep at Rs 2,000 per day. Then there are instances owing to exams I am unable to go to Pune for practice and the flat there lies vacant with the rent running.
Q: I suppose the rifles do not come easy on the pocket either....YP: Yes. I have three “ the air rifle (Feinwerkbau) costs Rs 2 lakh, while the small bore rifle .22 (50 m) weapon (Walther) is priced at Rs 3 lakh and the 300 m big bore rifle (Anshutz) is valued around Rs 4-5 lakh. For the ammunition, we have to buy from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). The pellets cost Rs 800 a tin (500 pellets) which lasts an approx. 15 days, the .22 ammunition costs Rs 32 each. As it is costly, I do not shoot in practice much but only before the matches. Other States, like Maharashtra provide their shooters with ammunition.
Q: How would you view the competitiveness of shooting in the country?
YP: In shooting, it is very tight and tough. You have 3,000-4,000 competitors in one event. The competition is as tough as that if you miss a single match, you will not be in the top 10. The fight to the top is determined by a decimal point.
Q: Who do you idolise and why?
YP: I idolise my coach, Anjali Bhagwat. Despite being a big champion, an Olympian, she is very down-to-earth, has zero attitude. Anyone can go up to her for advice. She is very approachable.
Q: An experience you would like to recount which has influenced your career as a shooter …
YP: Back in 2012, at the National Championship, one day when I was shooting, I lost hope. I wanted to quit the match. But my dad told me to complete it. Not only did I complete the match, but I achieved my personal best too.
Q: What goals have you set for this year?
YP: I want to try my level best at the forthcoming Junior World Cup, to not only make Goa, but India proud. I aim to finish in the top 10.
Q: As a competitive shooter, how have you been able to cope with your studies?
YP: As a shooter, because of my experience in travel, meeting people it has helped me in studies. It has helped me to concentrate. In languages, shooting has helped me in comprehension, essay-writing, letter-writing in topics ranging from favourite sport to personality. I have secured 89% in my prelims (SSC). In Goa, parents opine that children cannot cope with studies and pursue sport competitively at the same time. But outside, things are different. There are shooters doing well in academics. There are professionals like doctors, engineers who play the sport competitively as well.
Q: On the apathy of the State Government towards the sport …
YP: With there being no shooting range in Goa, the IOA have stated they would shift the National Games to Haryana.
