The Goan Network
Panaji
Sixteen-year-old Mapusa-based shooter, Yash Padloskar is set to make his State proud by representing India at the first junior World Cup to be held from April 28-May 6 in Germany.
At a press briefing held here on Tuesday, organized by Yash Rifle Shooting Academy, it was highlighted that Yash Padloskar is the youngest-ever shooter to be selected for shooting at the international level.
Master Yash who has been rifle shooting since 2008 has 10m, 50m and 300m as his pet events. A prolific gold medallist at the State level over the years, he was declared as the Master Shooter 2015. In a particular rifle shooting meet, with around 2300 participants from all-over India, Yash was ranked sixth. He also got a third position in high arm shooting in 50 metres. His qualification for the World Cup squad in the 10m air rifle category was determined by pre-national, three national championships and an international shooting competition as well.
In response to a query, it has been revealed that at the National Level, Goan shooters have won more than 20 gold medals, with Yash bagging 8 medals. It was further divulged in the last State Championship,there were 75 shooters across many categories but there is still no proper shooting range here built by the concerned authorities. This being a crying shame for past many years, Yogesh Padloskar, Yash's father, took the initiative to develop a shooting range of his own in Mapusa. With 5-range points fully air-conditioned and well-equipped, it has been equated to that of an Olympic status and many shooters are thus fortunate with an opportunity to train there.
With him going places, from initially practicing from home, Yash began to further his practice in Kolhapur and subsequently started training in Pune. He has received training from many established names in the rifle sport, most notably Anjali Bhagwat.
The Mapusa-based sharpshooter will be joining 11th Commerce in the forthcoming academic year, and has till date not received any financial support from the State Government nor SAG, save from the support given last year, by one Sandeep Nigalye, a well-wisher.
