A shooting in a neighborhood north of Paris likely connected to drug dealing left one person dead and six others wounded, according to prosecutors and the city's mayor on Saturday (May 4).

The attack took place in a parking lot near a cultural centre at Sevran, which lies between central Paris and the city's main airport Charles de Gaulle.&nbsp;

Upon arriving on the scene, police found four injured people lying&nbsp;on the ground. One died and the three others were taken to hospitals in a serious condition, according to a police source.

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Three more people were injured and were later taken to hospital, added the source and said that two men had arrived in the parking lot in a car and one of them got out and opened fire. The attackers then fled the scene.

Sevran mayor Stephane Blanchet told AFP, "it was clearly a settling of scores linked to drug trafficking."&nbsp; 
"There is a need to establish order and eliminate trafficking."

&nbsp;"Those culprits fired live bullets and did not heed appeals for calm," he further said.

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Police have opened an investigation into intentional homicide by an organised gang.

(With inputs from agencies)

A shooting in a neighborhood north of Paris likely connected to drug dealing left one person dead and six others wounded, according to prosecutors and the city's mayor on Saturday (May 4).

A shooting in a neighborhood north of Paris likely connected to drug dealing left one person dead and six others wounded, according to prosecutors and the city's mayor on Saturday (May 4). The attack took place in a parking lot near a cultural centre at Sevran, which lies between central Paris and the city's main airport Charles de Gaulle. Upon arriving on the scene, police found four injured people lying on the ground. One died and the three others were taken to hospitals in a serious condition, according to a police source. Also read: Gaza war: Hamas delegation to travel to Cairo today for ceasefire talks Three more people were injured and were later taken to hospital, added the source and said that two men had arrived in the parking lot in a car and one of them got out and opened fire. The attackers then fled the scene. Sevran mayor Stephane Blanchet told AFP, "it was clearly a settling of scores linked to drug trafficking." "There is a need to establish order and eliminate trafficking." "Those culprits fired live bullets and did not heed appeals for calm," he further said. Also read: 3 Indian nationals arrested in alleged killing of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar Police have opened an investigation into intentional homicide by an organised gang. (With inputs from agencies)

France: Shooting in suburb of Paris leaves one dead, several injured

A young girl who had been kidnapped by her father was following a sheriff's deputy's orders and appeared to be surrendering when other police officers fatally shot her during a gun battle on a Southern California highway, according to a released video and audio.

15-year-old Savannah Graziano was fatally shot and killed as she ran towards San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies amid a gun battle on Sept. 27, 2022. Her father, 45-year-old Anthony Graziano, was also fatally shot.

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The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department released the video and audio clips, including the 15-minute video released on Friday in response to public records requests made by The Associated Press and other media outlets.&nbsp;

The video footage was not from the body-worn cameras but was recorded by a sheriff’s helicopter and witness dashboard cameras.

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🇺🇸15-year-old was gunned down by cops as she ran toward them for help after being kidnapped by her father,all while a deputy helplessly begged for other officers to stop firing,shocking new video shows. 
 
◾Savannah Graziano, 15,was killed on September 27, 2022,after her father, <a href="https://t.co/OyN6HSzWxN">pic.twitter.com/OyN6HSzWxN</a>
— Tibo91 (@Tibortibor15) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tibortibor15/status/1775289757351784519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Savannah and her father were shot after the deputies pursued Graziano’s pickup truck for some 70 miles (110 kilometres), including along Highway 15.&nbsp;

A helicopter crew following the chase reported shots fired from the driver’s side&nbsp;while other shots were fired from the passenger’s side, according to a deputy and a witness motorist.

The teenage girl was just steps from safety when she was killed, as the video footage shows. A deputy, who was taking cover behind a sheriff's SUV, repetitively calls out to her, “Passenger, get out!” and "Come to me, come to me!”

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Wearing guards and a helmet, the teenager gets out of the pickup truck from the passenger side and runs towards the deputy. But as she starts running towards the deputy, other officers from a higher elevation open fire. The deputy was screaming “Stop! Stop shooting her! He’s in the car! Stop!”

However, the deputy's shouts were not broadcast over the radio, said the sheriff's department, but the audio was captured by his belt recorder. A deputy in the helicopter can be heard saying ‘Oh, no’ over the radio after the teen was shot.

The autopsy reports of the teenager and her father who was killed a day before the gun battle have not been released.

The department reported four sheriff's department vehicles were struck by gunfire during the hunt, and deputies seized multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds from the pickup truck, as well as flash bangs, smoke grenades, body armour and tactical helmets.

Savannah Graziano was not armed when she was shot.

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The state Department of Justice, which is investigating the shooting, referred media inquiries to their 2022 news release and declined to&nbsp;comment. State law requires the department to review any officer-involved shooting resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian.

Anthony Graziano and his teenage daughter had been living out of his pickup truck and hotels for weeks before the violence, police informed. But there were no reports of domestic violence or child abuse.

(With inputs from agencies)

A young girl who had been kidnapped by her father was following a sheriff's deputy's orders and appeared to be surrendering when other police officers fatally shot her during a gun battle on a Southern California highway, according to a released video and audio.

A young girl who had been kidnapped by her father was following a sheriff's deputy's orders and appeared to be surrendering when other police officers fatally shot her during a gun battle on a Southern California highway, according to a released video and audio. 15-year-old Savannah Graziano was fatally shot and killed as she ran towards San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies amid a gun battle on Sept. 27, 2022. Her father, 45-year-old Anthony Graziano, was also fatally shot. Also read: US Elections 2024: Biden, Trump sweep primaries in Wisconsin, New York, and two other states The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department released the video and audio clips, including the 15-minute video released on Friday in response to public records requests made by The Associated Press and other media outlets. The video footage was not from the body-worn cameras but was recorded by a sheriff’s helicopter and witness dashboard cameras. 🇺🇸15-year-old was gunned down by cops as she ran toward them for help after being kidnapped by her father,all while a deputy helplessly begged for other officers to stop firing,shocking new video shows. ◾Savannah Graziano, 15,was killed on September 27, 2022,after her father, pic.twitter.com/OyN6HSzWxN — Tibo91 (@Tibortibor15) April 2, 2024 × Savannah and her father were shot after the deputies pursued Graziano’s pickup truck for some 70 miles (110 kilometres), including along Highway 15. A helicopter crew following the chase reported shots fired from the driver’s side while other shots were fired from the passenger’s side, according to a deputy and a witness motorist. The teenage girl was just steps from safety when she was killed, as the video footage shows. A deputy, who was taking cover behind a sheriff's SUV, repetitively calls out to her, “Passenger, get out!” and "Come to me, come to me!” Also read: Who is Don Hankey, billionaire behind Trump's $175 million bond post Wearing guards and a helmet, the teenager gets out of the pickup truck from the passenger side and runs towards the deputy. But as she starts running towards the deputy, other officers from a higher elevation open fire. The deputy was screaming “Stop! Stop shooting her! He’s in the car! Stop!” However, the deputy's shouts were not broadcast over the radio, said the sheriff's department, but the audio was captured by his belt recorder. A deputy in the helicopter can be heard saying ‘Oh, no’ over the radio after the teen was shot. The autopsy reports of the teenager and her father who was killed a day before the gun battle have not been released. The department reported four sheriff's department vehicles were struck by gunfire during the hunt, and deputies seized multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds from the pickup truck, as well as flash bangs, smoke grenades, body armour and tactical helmets. Savannah Graziano was not armed when she was shot. Also read: Earthquake in Taiwan: Powerful quake of 7.5 magnitude rocks Taiwan, one killed The state Department of Justice, which is investigating the shooting, referred media inquiries to their 2022 news release and declined to comment. State law requires the department to review any officer-involved shooting resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian. Anthony Graziano and his teenage daughter had been living out of his pickup truck and hotels for weeks before the violence, police informed. But there were no reports of domestic violence or child abuse. (With inputs from agencies)

Video shows California officers fatally shooting abducted teenager as she surrenders

A dozen people were killed at a Mexican holiday party Sunday early morning (Dec 17) after a group of people opened fire on them, Reuters reported citing Mexican authorities. The attack took place in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, where some partygoers were attending a posada, a traditional Mexican party held in the days leading up to Christmas, according to local media.

The state's attorney general's office took to social media platform X to announce the tragic news, saying at least 12 people have been killed.&nbsp;

No further details were released.&nbsp;

The identities of the victims has&nbsp;not&nbsp; been revealed yet.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-on-high-alert-as-lidia-transforms-into-category-4-hurricane-645142">Also read:&nbsp;`Extremely dangerous` Hurricane Lidia makes landfall in Mexico as category-4 storm</a>

Guanajuato is home to a significant number of automotive and aeronautics factories; however, the state has emerged as one of the most violent ones in recent months.

Watch:&nbsp;Aliens in Mexico? Sensational claim on aliens

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The persistent tensions between different powerful drug cartels have further intensified the instability in the state.

(This is a developing story)

A dozen people were killed at a Mexican holiday party Sunday early morning (Dec 17) after a group of people opened fire on them, Reuters reported citing Mexican authorities.

A dozen people were killed at a Mexican holiday party Sunday early morning (Dec 17) after a group of people opened fire on them, Reuters reported citing Mexican authorities. The attack took place in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, where some partygoers were attending a posada, a traditional Mexican party held in the days leading up to Christmas, according to local media. The state's attorney general's office took to social media platform X to announce the tragic news, saying at least 12 people have been killed. No further details were released. The identities of the victims has not been revealed yet. Also read: `Extremely dangerous` Hurricane Lidia makes landfall in Mexico as category-4 storm Guanajuato is home to a significant number of automotive and aeronautics factories; however, the state has emerged as one of the most violent ones in recent months. Watch: Aliens in Mexico? Sensational claim on aliens × The persistent tensions between different powerful drug cartels have further intensified the instability in the state. (This is a developing story)

Mexico: Dozen killed as armed group opens fire on holiday party

A shooting in Hamburg, Germany's northernmost city, resulted in the deaths of eight persons and the serious injuries of others. At two in the morning, the incident happened in a Jehovah's Witness church.

Shooter kills eight at Jehovah's Witnesses center in Germany

Cancer-stricken former India shooter Pournima Zanane has breathed her last aged 42 with country’s shooting fraternity, including Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra mourning the untimely death.

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) licensed coach Zanane was suffering from cancer for the last two years while undergoing extensive treatment for it. As per ex India rifleman Joydeep Karmakar, Zanane almost recovered after receiving treatment for cancer.&nbsp;

Zanane had represented India at multiple ISSF World Cups, Asian Championships, Commonwealth Championships, among others, and was a renowned shooter in the fraternity. Zanane was a national record holder in 10m air rifle event and took to coaching later in her career. She was honoured with the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports award by the Maharashtra government.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-womens-t20-world-cup-2020-most-watched-womens-cricket-event-in-history-307714" hreflang="en">ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 most watched women's cricket event in history</a>

Zanane, who was diagnosed with cancer during the Nationals in Kerala a couple of years back and started her career in Mumbai before moving to Pune. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) sent out condolence message after Zanane succumbed to the disease.&nbsp;

"The National Rifle Association of India condoles the untimely sad demise of our international shooter and a coach - Ms Pournima Chinmoy Zanane, at a very young age.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aravinda-de-silva-urges-icc-bcci-slc-to-investigate-india-vs-sri-lanka-2011-world-cup-final-fixing-claims-307700" hreflang="en">Aravinda de Silva urges ICC, BCCI, SLC to investigate India vs Sri Lanka 2011 World Cup final fixing claims</a>

"Ms Pournima Zanane was an Air Rifle shooter and took part in many international competitions as Pournima Gawahne. At a later stage, she started coaching shooters and also coached the Sri Lankan team," the sport's apex body in the country said in a statement.

"RIP Pournima. You will be greatly missed," Bindra wrote on his twitter handle.

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Deeply shocked and distressed by the news of untimely demise of an old friend Pournima Zanane. She was an international shooter and ISSF coach. Our friendship goes back to Junior team days.. But we will meet someday, somewhere again 😊 <a href="https://t.co/nRRNLZsRny">pic.twitter.com/nRRNLZsRny</a>
— Joydeep Karmakar OLY (@Joydeep709) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joydeep709/status/1274728268621582336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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RIP Pournima. You will be greatly missed.
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) <a href="https://twitter.com/Abhinav_Bindra/status/1274729220690731008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Deeply shocked and distressed by the news of untimely demise of an old friend Pournima Zanane. Our friendship goes back to Junior team days... But we will meet someday, somewhere again Smiling face with smiling eyes," Olympian Karmakar tweeted 
&nbsp;

Cancer-stricken former India shooter Pournima Zanane has breathed her last aged 42 with country’s shooting fraternity, including Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra mourning the untimely death.

Cancer-stricken former India shooter Pournima Zanane has breathed her last aged 42 with country’s shooting fraternity, including Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra mourning the untimely death. The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) licensed coach Zanane was suffering from cancer for the last two years while undergoing extensive treatment for it. As per ex India rifleman Joydeep Karmakar, Zanane almost recovered after receiving treatment for cancer. Zanane had represented India at multiple ISSF World Cups, Asian Championships, Commonwealth Championships, among others, and was a renowned shooter in the fraternity. Zanane was a national record holder in 10m air rifle event and took to coaching later in her career. She was honoured with the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports award by the Maharashtra government. ALSO READ: ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 most watched women's cricket event in history Zanane, who was diagnosed with cancer during the Nationals in Kerala a couple of years back and started her career in Mumbai before moving to Pune. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) sent out condolence message after Zanane succumbed to the disease. "The National Rifle Association of India condoles the untimely sad demise of our international shooter and a coach - Ms Pournima Chinmoy Zanane, at a very young age. ALSO READ: Aravinda de Silva urges ICC, BCCI, SLC to investigate India vs Sri Lanka 2011 World Cup final fixing claims "Ms Pournima Zanane was an Air Rifle shooter and took part in many international competitions as Pournima Gawahne. At a later stage, she started coaching shooters and also coached the Sri Lankan team," the sport's apex body in the country said in a statement. "RIP Pournima. You will be greatly missed," Bindra wrote on his twitter handle. Deeply shocked and distressed by the news of untimely demise of an old friend Pournima Zanane. She was an international shooter and ISSF coach. Our friendship goes back to Junior team days.. But we will meet someday, somewhere again 😊 pic.twitter.com/nRRNLZsRny — Joydeep Karmakar OLY (@Joydeep709) June 21, 2020 × RIP Pournima. You will be greatly missed. — Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) June 21, 2020 × "Deeply shocked and distressed by the news of untimely demise of an old friend Pournima Zanane. Our friendship goes back to Junior team days... But we will meet someday, somewhere again Smiling face with smiling eyes," Olympian Karmakar tweeted

Cancer-stricken former India shooter Pournima Zanane dies at 42

One of the youngest stars of Indian sport and world no. 2 in Women’s 10-metre air pistol event in shooting, Manu Bhaker, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about things ranging from life in lockdown, technology in training, Tokyo Olympic postponement, bonding with Saurabh Chaudhary, idea of quarantine camp for Olympic hopefuls, and more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: How has life been for you Manu away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi that you had gotten used to over the last couple of years since you broke into the Indian team...

Manu Bhaker: I think I'm enjoying the lockdown here with my family. I do miss the shooting range, but not the hustle and bustle of Delhi, I'm delighted to be here in Charkhi Dadri.

DSD: So how have you been keeping yourself busy during this period, I imagine you must be using this time to catch up on your college studies.

Manu Bhaker: Yes, I love to study and have been doing that a lot lately. Apart from that, I'm also training regularly, so my shooting hasn't suffered to a great extent.

DSD: I was told that initially shooting was a bit of an issue, but you now have an electronic target installed and training has begun, how was that transition from a paper target to an electronic target?

Manu Bhaker: It was a massive relief when the electronic target was installed at home. It was a long wait, but I'm delighted that I now have access to technology. I'm definitely more comfortable shooting with an electronic target, as compared to a paper target. The paper target scores are also accurate, but I prefer using the electronic one.

DSD: What is your thought process at the moment while shooting. Is it just to maintain your skill levels and stay in touch with the game?

Manu Bhaker: I am working on a few weaknesses in my game, apart from that I'm just trying to train the same way i used to before the lockdown. I'm trying to cope with the situation in the best way I can and hopefully, there won't be a drop in the level of my performances in the future.

<img alt="Manu Bhaker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b107f960-c3ba-4758-b574-a550948d6105" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_18F90E.jpg" />

DSD: What are the issues you have been working on, has this break given you an opportunity to improve certain aspects of your game?

Manu Bhaker: I haven't been home for such an extended period of time in the last three years. In a way that has given me time to work on my fundamentals- my balance, stability and follow through.&nbsp;

DSD: You must have been in touch with your coaches through this period. What has coach Jaspal Rana been telling you and how regularly are you staying in touch with him and the rest.

Manu Bhaker: Yes, I have communicated with him during this period whenever I have needed any assistance, but we aren't in touch on a daily basis.

DSD: You just turned 18 a short while back, but you have already won so much in your sport. Considering the fantastic year you had in 2018 and 2019, how did you react to the Olympic postponement, did you feel like you could win the gold for India?

Manu Bhaker: That's a tricky question. I was certainly in good form leading up to the games, but so were many other shooters. I felt like I was mentally prepared for the event to take place in 2020 and it was very disappointing for me when the postponement announcement was made, but I realise that there was no other option available to the international Olympic committee. Health has to take priority over everything else. We will get chances in the future to represent India at the games and hopefully, we will be able to maintain our performance levels.

DSD: How do you refocus now with the Olympics 14 months away, do you think it gives you a chance to expand on your shooting knowledge or is it wiser not to change things right now and continue with what was working for you.

Manu Bhaker: I'm just going with the flow. I don't think I need to bring in substantial changes to my game, I'm satisfied with my equipment as well. I was extremely excited about the events leading up to the original 2020 Olympics- the Munich World Cup, Delhi World Cup and various test events. It would have been an opportunity for me to gear up for the games. Those events were obviously cancelled and the shooting calendar has been almost wiped out, however, I don't see any reason to make considerable changes to my game during this enforced break.

DSD: Its been a meteoric rise since you won that gold in Mexico and the thing I have noticed with you is this love for competition and also winning. Right now there is no competition scheduled till the end of the year. So how do you compensate for the lack of action?

Manu Bhaker: I'm not really craving for competition at the moment, so I'm not undertaking high-intensity training sessions right now. I'm just trying to maintain my form. Before the lockdown, I used to train for 8-10 hours a day at the Karni Singh shooting range in Delhi, whereas now that time has reduced to four hours a day on an average. This will also enable me to recover from my niggles and injuries and put me in the best position to perform at a high level when international events resume.

DSD: Now ever since you picked up the gun you have been shooting non-stop, how frustrating has this hiatus been for you considering it has now almost been three months.

Manu Bhaker: I just can't wait for this lockdown period to get over. I am eagerly waiting for the health situation to improve and the national camps to begin so that I can return to some sort of normalcy.

<img alt="Manu Bhaker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f4de107d-0560-4ef4-aac1-05d42685eafa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_18F90I.jpg" />

DSD: You have been shooting some of these online competitions. Does it give you that same rush of shooting a proper event because where is the pressure, where is the drama that only competition can give?

Manu Bhaker: Online competitions definitely help in maintaining your skills. I would say that the pressure of competing in the same and there is still a desire to win. However, because there are no ranking points on the line and no medals up for grabs, it does affect your approach to the event. I've participated in a few of these competitions but I have missed a few of late since I have been busier with my college work.

DSD: A&nbsp;lot of your fellow Olympic quota winners are pretty young. Have you been in touch with any of them and how are they coping?

Manu Bhaker: I haven't really had the opportunity to be in touch with them since I have mostly been busy with my shooting training and college work.

DSD: A&nbsp;lot of your success in world shooting has also come in the mixed event. Now usually in a team sport, you depend on your partner, here the dynamics are different but yet you and Sourabh Chaudhary have sort of mastered this event.

Manu Bhaker: I just focus on my performance. I have faith in his ability, but I approach the mixed event the same way i approach an individual event and that has seemed to work for me so far.

DSD: Were you surprised with the level of domination you and Sourabh Chaudhary had in the mixed event in the World Cups.

Manu Bhaker: We shot world record scores at the Delhi World Cup, Asian Championships and the Munich World Cup last year. Even at the Rio World Cup, we made a brilliant comeback to win the title. It is truly remarkable that we won all four ISSF World Cup mixed team titles last year and I'm thrilled about it. It is difficult for me to put in words how delighted I am.

DSD: Now the thing I have noticed is that you are more of an extrovert than Saurabh who hardly speaks at all. So how do team dynamics work here?

Manu Bhaker: There is hardly any communication between us. We sometimes don't even greet each other when we meet, but that is how the dynamic is and both of us are comfortable with that. He and I are different individuals, but there is no problem with the team. Even when we set the world record, there was hardly any conversation between the two of us. In fact, I haven't seen Saurabh talk to anyone in the shooing team. He is an introvert and that's just the way it is.

<img alt="Manu Bhaker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d66909bb-15eb-47ea-a359-6c5be49fc257" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_13T02I_0.jpg" />

DSD: You have achieved a lot in your career at such a young age, but it's nice to see that it hasn't changed how you are as a person, you always have your India colours on at public gatherings.

Manu Bhaker: I love my country and its people. Even in most of the functions, i prefer wearing my Team India attire. I have worn a dress at very few gatherings, only when the occasion requires me to do so.

DSD: Will you be thinking of moving to a national camp soon or do you think it is safer for you to continue training at home?

Manu Bhaker: Given the current situation, I definitely think it would be safer to stay home and train. If the camps are organised, they would probably be in Delhi or Bhopal, where the number of coronavirus cases is very high. So at the moment, I am happy to train at home.

DSD: When do you think you will feel comfortable in attending a national camp?

Manu Bhaker: I think no player will feel safe in attending a national camp till the coronavirus is contained to a considerable extent. Players will not be able to focus on their game if they are constantly worried about their health and safety. Players have to be free of mental anguish to be able to train at a high level.

DSD: There has been talk of the NRAI organising a quarantine camp where everyone stays at one place and trains with limited interaction, would you be comfortable in an environment like that?

Manu Bhaker: The idea of a quarantine camp does sound encouraging, but even in that environment, there will be people who will be moving in and out of the area, which could possibly be a danger.

DSD: At some point, do you feel like you will have to take some sort of a risk and head out to a camp, especially when the Olympics are approaching...

Manu Bhaker: If the federation does organise a camp, I hope it is only for the Olympic quota holders. We have to ensure that there are a minimum number of people in these camps so that the risk of the virus spreading is mitigated.

DSD: Do you think the NRAI&nbsp;should declare the Olympic team now so that all of you can be relaxed and focus...

Manu Bhaker: I firmly believe that the team should be announced because it would give us shooters some clarity and help us prepare better for the games. All us shooters are just waiting for the team to be announced and it will be a big relief for everyone involved. Mentally as well, it will be reassuring and will give a direction to our plans for the Tokyo Olympics.

One of the youngest stars of Indian sport and world no. 2 in Women’s 10-metre air pistol event in shooting, Manu Bhaker, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about things ranging from life in lockdown, technology in training, Tokyo Olympic postponement, bonding with Saurabh Chaudhary, idea of quarantine camp for Olympic hopefuls, and more.

One of the youngest stars of Indian sport and world no. 2 in Women’s 10-metre air pistol event in shooting, Manu Bhaker, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about things ranging from life in lockdown, technology in training, Tokyo Olympic postponement, bonding with Saurabh Chaudhary, idea of quarantine camp for Olympic hopefuls, and more. Digvijay Singh Deo: How has life been for you Manu away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi that you had gotten used to over the last couple of years since you broke into the Indian team... Manu Bhaker: I think I'm enjoying the lockdown here with my family. I do miss the shooting range, but not the hustle and bustle of Delhi, I'm delighted to be here in Charkhi Dadri. DSD: So how have you been keeping yourself busy during this period, I imagine you must be using this time to catch up on your college studies. Manu Bhaker: Yes, I love to study and have been doing that a lot lately. Apart from that, I'm also training regularly, so my shooting hasn't suffered to a great extent. DSD: I was told that initially shooting was a bit of an issue, but you now have an electronic target installed and training has begun, how was that transition from a paper target to an electronic target? Manu Bhaker: It was a massive relief when the electronic target was installed at home. It was a long wait, but I'm delighted that I now have access to technology. I'm definitely more comfortable shooting with an electronic target, as compared to a paper target. The paper target scores are also accurate, but I prefer using the electronic one. DSD: What is your thought process at the moment while shooting. Is it just to maintain your skill levels and stay in touch with the game? Manu Bhaker: I am working on a few weaknesses in my game, apart from that I'm just trying to train the same way i used to before the lockdown. I'm trying to cope with the situation in the best way I can and hopefully, there won't be a drop in the level of my performances in the future. DSD: What are the issues you have been working on, has this break given you an opportunity to improve certain aspects of your game? Manu Bhaker: I haven't been home for such an extended period of time in the last three years. In a way that has given me time to work on my fundamentals- my balance, stability and follow through. DSD: You must have been in touch with your coaches through this period. What has coach Jaspal Rana been telling you and how regularly are you staying in touch with him and the rest. Manu Bhaker: Yes, I have communicated with him during this period whenever I have needed any assistance, but we aren't in touch on a daily basis. DSD: You just turned 18 a short while back, but you have already won so much in your sport. Considering the fantastic year you had in 2018 and 2019, how did you react to the Olympic postponement, did you feel like you could win the gold for India? Manu Bhaker: That's a tricky question. I was certainly in good form leading up to the games, but so were many other shooters. I felt like I was mentally prepared for the event to take place in 2020 and it was very disappointing for me when the postponement announcement was made, but I realise that there was no other option available to the international Olympic committee. Health has to take priority over everything else. We will get chances in the future to represent India at the games and hopefully, we will be able to maintain our performance levels. DSD: How do you refocus now with the Olympics 14 months away, do you think it gives you a chance to expand on your shooting knowledge or is it wiser not to change things right now and continue with what was working for you. Manu Bhaker: I'm just going with the flow. I don't think I need to bring in substantial changes to my game, I'm satisfied with my equipment as well. I was extremely excited about the events leading up to the original 2020 Olympics- the Munich World Cup, Delhi World Cup and various test events. It would have been an opportunity for me to gear up for the games. Those events were obviously cancelled and the shooting calendar has been almost wiped out, however, I don't see any reason to make considerable changes to my game during this enforced break. DSD: Its been a meteoric rise since you won that gold in Mexico and the thing I have noticed with you is this love for competition and also winning. Right now there is no competition scheduled till the end of the year. So how do you compensate for the lack of action? Manu Bhaker: I'm not really craving for competition at the moment, so I'm not undertaking high-intensity training sessions right now. I'm just trying to maintain my form. Before the lockdown, I used to train for 8-10 hours a day at the Karni Singh shooting range in Delhi, whereas now that time has reduced to four hours a day on an average. This will also enable me to recover from my niggles and injuries and put me in the best position to perform at a high level when international events resume. DSD: Now ever since you picked up the gun you have been shooting non-stop, how frustrating has this hiatus been for you considering it has now almost been three months. Manu Bhaker: I just can't wait for this lockdown period to get over. I am eagerly waiting for the health situation to improve and the national camps to begin so that I can return to some sort of normalcy. DSD: You have been shooting some of these online competitions. Does it give you that same rush of shooting a proper event because where is the pressure, where is the drama that only competition can give? Manu Bhaker: Online competitions definitely help in maintaining your skills. I would say that the pressure of competing in the same and there is still a desire to win. However, because there are no ranking points on the line and no medals up for grabs, it does affect your approach to the event. I've participated in a few of these competitions but I have missed a few of late since I have been busier with my college work. DSD: A lot of your fellow Olympic quota winners are pretty young. Have you been in touch with any of them and how are they coping? Manu Bhaker: I haven't really had the opportunity to be in touch with them since I have mostly been busy with my shooting training and college work. DSD: A lot of your success in world shooting has also come in the mixed event. Now usually in a team sport, you depend on your partner, here the dynamics are different but yet you and Sourabh Chaudhary have sort of mastered this event. Manu Bhaker: I just focus on my performance. I have faith in his ability, but I approach the mixed event the same way i approach an individual event and that has seemed to work for me so far. DSD: Were you surprised with the level of domination you and Sourabh Chaudhary had in the mixed event in the World Cups. Manu Bhaker: We shot world record scores at the Delhi World Cup, Asian Championships and the Munich World Cup last year. Even at the Rio World Cup, we made a brilliant comeback to win the title. It is truly remarkable that we won all four ISSF World Cup mixed team titles last year and I'm thrilled about it. It is difficult for me to put in words how delighted I am. DSD: Now the thing I have noticed is that you are more of an extrovert than Saurabh who hardly speaks at all. So how do team dynamics work here? Manu Bhaker: There is hardly any communication between us. We sometimes don't even greet each other when we meet, but that is how the dynamic is and both of us are comfortable with that. He and I are different individuals, but there is no problem with the team. Even when we set the world record, there was hardly any conversation between the two of us. In fact, I haven't seen Saurabh talk to anyone in the shooing team. He is an introvert and that's just the way it is. DSD: You have achieved a lot in your career at such a young age, but it's nice to see that it hasn't changed how you are as a person, you always have your India colours on at public gatherings. Manu Bhaker: I love my country and its people. Even in most of the functions, i prefer wearing my Team India attire. I have worn a dress at very few gatherings, only when the occasion requires me to do so. DSD: Will you be thinking of moving to a national camp soon or do you think it is safer for you to continue training at home? Manu Bhaker: Given the current situation, I definitely think it would be safer to stay home and train. If the camps are organised, they would probably be in Delhi or Bhopal, where the number of coronavirus cases is very high. So at the moment, I am happy to train at home. DSD: When do you think you will feel comfortable in attending a national camp? Manu Bhaker: I think no player will feel safe in attending a national camp till the coronavirus is contained to a considerable extent. Players will not be able to focus on their game if they are constantly worried about their health and safety. Players have to be free of mental anguish to be able to train at a high level. DSD: There has been talk of the NRAI organising a quarantine camp where everyone stays at one place and trains with limited interaction, would you be comfortable in an environment like that? Manu Bhaker: The idea of a quarantine camp does sound encouraging, but even in that environment, there will be people who will be moving in and out of the area, which could possibly be a danger. DSD: At some point, do you feel like you will have to take some sort of a risk and head out to a camp, especially when the Olympics are approaching... Manu Bhaker: If the federation does organise a camp, I hope it is only for the Olympic quota holders. We have to ensure that there are a minimum number of people in these camps so that the risk of the virus spreading is mitigated. DSD: Do you think the NRAI should declare the Olympic team now so that all of you can be relaxed and focus... Manu Bhaker: I firmly believe that the team should be announced because it would give us shooters some clarity and help us prepare better for the games. All us shooters are just waiting for the team to be announced and it will be a big relief for everyone involved. Mentally as well, it will be reassuring and will give a direction to our plans for the Tokyo Olympics.

Manu Bhaker: No player will feel safe at a camp at the moment

Reigning Asian Games gold-medallist Rahi Sarnobat, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digivijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, postponement and future of Tokyo Olympics, importance of domestic competitions post-lockdown, coordination between Indian shooters and much more.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Rahi, you in particular train extremely religiously so how difficult has it been for you?

Rahi Sarnobat: Yes it has been extremely difficult. I have not been to the shooting range since the lockdown started, but I realise that the situation is out of my control. We as athletes have to adapt and be creative so that we can train in some form. I have come up with new exercises and drills to keep in touch with my skills.

DSD: You know what a period without your gun is like having overcome a serious injury a few years ago. Has that experience helped you sail through this?

Rahi Sarnobat: Absolutely. When I was out of action due to my injury, I had to deal with the problem alone. While I was recovering, my fellow shooters were winning medals at major events, so I was naturally insecure about my place in the team and thought I would be replaced. So as a result, mentally it is easier for me to deal with this coronavirus crisis because all of us are in it together. I learnt so much from the time when I was injured, I was out for an entire year and I wasn't even able to touch my weapon, let alone train. Whereas during this crisis, I am able to train in some form, so for me personally this is definitely a better situation.

DSD: Do you consider yourself fortunate to have made a last-minute change in your plans to head home to Kolhapur from Pune just before the lockdown kicked in.

Rahi Sarnobat: Initially I didn't want to come to Kolhapur. I got done with a tournament in Delhi on the march 17 and then I was supposed to go to Pune for a camp scheduled to begin on April 1. So I thought I would travel to Pune from Delhi and stay there till the camp begins, but my brother insisted that I come to Kolhapur and assess the situation from here. Fortunately for me, I listened to him and I have been here with my family since the lockdown began.

DSD: Your training base in Pune, the Balewadi Sports Complex is now a full-fledged quarantine facility, so clearly heading back there is not possible at the moment.

Rahi Sarnobat: In a way, I feel very proud that the complex I train in, is contributing significantly to the fight against the coronavirus. However, I certainly miss training in that complex and I don't think I will get the opportunity to train there this year. Pune is one of the worst-hit cities in India and the city desperately needs facilities where people can be quarantined or treated.

<img alt="RAHI: WILL UNDERSTAND IF THE OLYMPICS ARE NOT HELD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5cf63c94-30e9-48bc-8e37-301fd3ef746b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_18I9OY.jpg" />

DSD: The thing about the Indian sportsperson though is that they always find a way past a crisis, you haven't waited for sports facilities to open and you are trying to get the range in your city of Kolhapur operational.

Rahi Sarnobat: Fortunately the municipal authorities and sports authorities have been extremely cooperative in this matter. We are trying to get the shooting range here up and running, but we realise that a lot of work has to be put in by the authorities. It is definitely a challenge to open up a sports facility during the coronavirus crisis, but I am happy to say that the authorities are doing their utmost to ensure that athletes get back to training. It is crucial for athletes like me, who have qualified for the Olympics, to return to outdoor training. The authorities are giving us positive updates regarding the reopening of the facility on a daily basis, so hopefully, I will be back out there soon.

DSD: Did you think of heading into a quarantine camp like is being suggested by the Indian Olympic Association, you can drive to Bengaluru where the SAI campus is already under lockdown. there are hostel facilities and the men's and women's hockey teams are there. Does that make sense?

Rahi Sarnobat: I think right now I am comfortable here in Kolhapur as the shooting range is going to reopen very soon. I have all the shooting equipment available, including guns and ammunition. Also, no one knows when the situation is going to improve considerably, so these are very uncertain times. If a camp is organised, then how long will it go on for? So I think it is better for athletes to remain in a secure environment where they will be able to sustain themselves for a long period of time. In my opinion, travelling isn't safe at the moment, but in the future when the situation improves, maybe I will consider going to such a camp. Right now I am comfortable in Kolhapur.

DSD: I was speaking to Sebastian Coe last week and he said that the sportsperson is extremely resilient. After winning the Asian games gold and then the Olympic quota at the Munich world cup you were set for the Olympics. Now how do you deal with this pause?

Rahi Sarnobat: It will definitely affect our preparation and planning in the lead up to the Olympics. Now, we have to go back to the drawing board for our plan, but even to come up with a plan, we need a shooting calendar. We have no idea when competitions will return at the moment, so all we can do is wait. I think athletes should set themselves short-term goals for the next couple of weeks or a month. They can work on aspects of their game which they otherwise wouldn't get a chance to work on because of the hectic schedule. The one positive that we can draw from the postponement is that the games are 14 months away, so we have enough time to rest and return to outdoor training to get back into the groove.

DSD: Momentum is crucial in sport, you were building up well to Tokyo 2020, how does one get that rhythm back, especially in a tough event like yours where there are two distinct aspects, precision and duelling...

Rahi Sarnobat: Undoubtedly momentum is very important in sport. I don't think the Olympics will be the only event that will take place next year. There will definitely be events leading up to the games which will allow us to get our rhythm back. We have to take those tournaments extremely seriously and try to get our momentum back. I believe domestic competitions will be held by the end of the year and international competitions will resume in the early part of next year, so that should give us enough time to properly prepare for the Tokyo Olympics.

<img alt="RAHI: WILL UNDERSTAND IF THE OLYMPICS ARE NOT HELD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="35d01f47-aba4-44dc-afed-1cb1689c9623" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_18I9N8.jpg" />

DSD: Do you think it is essential to hold domestic competitions from September or October so that once the international calendar resumes, our shooters are in the competitive zone at least.

Rahi Sarnobat: Domestic competitions should resume very soon, but I think only small-scale events will be possible. Events with more than 50 shooters will be very difficult to organise, so holding a full-fledged national championship is out of the question. Maybe, a tournament can be organised for the top 10 national shooters of every event. In terms of online shooting, it is only possible for 10-metre events, for the 25m, 50m and shotgun events, it is necessary to be outdoors or at the shooting range. Even a small-scale competition will be extremely helpful for the shooters because that is what keeps us motivated. It will give us a much-needed push.

DSD: As a top shooter, who is going for a medal at the Olympics and needs to stay in the competitive zone, do we have the bench strength to hold competitions that in some way match up to the international level events.

Rahi Sarnobat: Five or ten years ago, the scenario was different, when India had only 1-2 shooters who were elite international athletes. However, now we are a global shooting superpower, there are at least 4 shooters in each category who have excelled at the international level in the last few years. Having said that, we cannot hold tournaments with just these 4-5 shooters, we need at least 8 participants in a competition for it to have the feel of an international event. Also, I feel that the nature of competition is not very important after such a prolonged break, any sort of competition will be helpful for the shooters. Something is better than nothing.

DSD: There is a huge question mark over the Olympics even now despite the postponement Rahi. Does that bother you as someone who was heading in as a medal contender?

Rahi Sarnobat: I am trying to be as positive as I can. No athlete prepares for just one Olympic games in their careers, every sportsperson aims to excel in all events they participate in. If these games do not happen, then I will start preparing for the 2024 Games. However, for some athletes, who are entering the twilight of their careers, a year's postponement can make a world of a difference. Even in physical sports, like athletics, the postponement could be very difficult to deal with. We as shooters are in a way lucky that ours is not a very physical sport.

The IOC has given us a date and we have to continue preparing for the Tokyo Olympics with that date in mind unless an official announcement is made regarding the cancellation of the event, that is the only option we have. This year as well, till the official announcement was made regarding the postponement, I was training for the July 2020 Olympics. There was a lot of speculation for more than a month about the games, but that didn't stop me from training. It is only when the official announcement was made that I stopped my training for the July 2020 games. So, I will follow the same principle for the 2021 games. Even if the Olympics are cancelled, then the training that I put in will not be worthless, it will definitely help me in future competitions.

DSD: Shooting is a very fickle sport and a lot of it depends on that day. Do you see this period of uncertainty extending into the shooting calendar that if and when the season resume there are going to be some very skewed results?

Rahi Sarnobat: Yes that might be a possibility. Different countries are at varying stages of dealing with the pandemic, so that means that in terms of training, it is not a level playing field for all athletes in the world at the moment. That might change in a few months and we might see shooters back at ranges. However, there is still more than a year to go for the games and I do believe that shooters will get enough time to prepare. We might see the overall shooting scores decrease slightly, but I don't think there will be a completely new set of medalists at the Tokyo Games. We won't see a shooter come out of anywhere and win a medal. The world's top shooters will still be competing for that coveted prize.

<img alt="RAHI: WILL UNDERSTAND IF THE OLYMPICS ARE NOT HELD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f175b6de-644b-4d2b-ac8d-5dc4a69f5ed5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_DV1832457.jpg" />

DSD: Have you sort of adjusted to the fact that your coach may not be able to be with you for a substantial portion of the months leading up to the Olympics from now and what will be the alternative?

Rahi Sarnobat: The contract that I had with my personal coach, Munkhbayar Dorksuren, was only till July 2020. I am right now in two minds about renewing my contract, but frankly, I don't think it is feasible for me to keep a personal coach. I think am ready to be guided by the team coaches. My former personal coach, Munkhbayar Dorksuren, was a great mentor for me over the past few years and she has made me an independent shooter, so that has put me in a good position to go forward. Also, I have now been shooting for over 15 years and have gained a lot of experience, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem for me to be without a coach. I think I am capable enough to adapt and I will do my best to remain at the top level.

DSD: The thing with Indian shooting is that even though we have 15 Olympic qualified shooters heading to Tokyo, there is very little coordination between most shooters as it is largely an individual sport, but considering the present situation would it be better for everyone to keep exchanging notes through this period.

Rahi Sarnobat: I think all 15 of us are keeping in touch in some form. The situation was different a few years ago, when there wasn't as much communication between shooters, that is not the case now. We have spent a lot of time with each other and we do exchange notes from time to time. The younger generation of shooters are very friendly, they are always willing to learn and ask a lot of questions. They are hungry, enthusiastic, energetic and curious. That's a very positive sign for the team. I like to spend time with them because it reminds me of my youth and it re-energises me. The NRAI made it a point to create a team atmosphere among Indian shooters and I must say that is working. There is a great camaraderie among all of us, which maybe wasn't there in the Indian team a few years back.

DSD: What is your advice to your fellow shooters, many of whom are pretty young and were headed to their first Olympics?

Rahi Sarnobat: Frankly speaking, I feel like asking them for advice sometimes as they are such skilled shooters. I don't even know if there is anything I can tell them which will improve their game, such is their level. The scenario when I was starting out my career about ten years back, was very different from what it is now. The young shooters were very excited for the 2020 Tokyo Games, ready to win multiple medals and I must say they were prepared to do so. They were training superbly and everything was in place for them to excel. The postponement has inconvenienced us all, but the games will hopefully still go ahead. My advice to them would be to stay patient. If they are able to do so, I have no doubt in my mind that they will achieve their goals.

Reigning Asian Games gold-medallist Rahi Sarnobat, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digivijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, postponement and future of Tokyo Olympics, importance of domestic competitions post-lockdown, coordination between Indian shooters and much more.

Reigning Asian Games gold-medallist Rahi Sarnobat, in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor, Digivijay Singh Deo, spoke about life in lockdown, postponement and future of Tokyo Olympics, importance of domestic competitions post-lockdown, coordination between Indian shooters and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: Rahi, you in particular train extremely religiously so how difficult has it been for you? Rahi Sarnobat: Yes it has been extremely difficult. I have not been to the shooting range since the lockdown started, but I realise that the situation is out of my control. We as athletes have to adapt and be creative so that we can train in some form. I have come up with new exercises and drills to keep in touch with my skills. DSD: You know what a period without your gun is like having overcome a serious injury a few years ago. Has that experience helped you sail through this? Rahi Sarnobat: Absolutely. When I was out of action due to my injury, I had to deal with the problem alone. While I was recovering, my fellow shooters were winning medals at major events, so I was naturally insecure about my place in the team and thought I would be replaced. So as a result, mentally it is easier for me to deal with this coronavirus crisis because all of us are in it together. I learnt so much from the time when I was injured, I was out for an entire year and I wasn't even able to touch my weapon, let alone train. Whereas during this crisis, I am able to train in some form, so for me personally this is definitely a better situation. DSD: Do you consider yourself fortunate to have made a last-minute change in your plans to head home to Kolhapur from Pune just before the lockdown kicked in. Rahi Sarnobat: Initially I didn't want to come to Kolhapur. I got done with a tournament in Delhi on the march 17 and then I was supposed to go to Pune for a camp scheduled to begin on April 1. So I thought I would travel to Pune from Delhi and stay there till the camp begins, but my brother insisted that I come to Kolhapur and assess the situation from here. Fortunately for me, I listened to him and I have been here with my family since the lockdown began. DSD: Your training base in Pune, the Balewadi Sports Complex is now a full-fledged quarantine facility, so clearly heading back there is not possible at the moment. Rahi Sarnobat: In a way, I feel very proud that the complex I train in, is contributing significantly to the fight against the coronavirus. However, I certainly miss training in that complex and I don't think I will get the opportunity to train there this year. Pune is one of the worst-hit cities in India and the city desperately needs facilities where people can be quarantined or treated. DSD: The thing about the Indian sportsperson though is that they always find a way past a crisis, you haven't waited for sports facilities to open and you are trying to get the range in your city of Kolhapur operational. Rahi Sarnobat: Fortunately the municipal authorities and sports authorities have been extremely cooperative in this matter. We are trying to get the shooting range here up and running, but we realise that a lot of work has to be put in by the authorities. It is definitely a challenge to open up a sports facility during the coronavirus crisis, but I am happy to say that the authorities are doing their utmost to ensure that athletes get back to training. It is crucial for athletes like me, who have qualified for the Olympics, to return to outdoor training. The authorities are giving us positive updates regarding the reopening of the facility on a daily basis, so hopefully, I will be back out there soon. DSD: Did you think of heading into a quarantine camp like is being suggested by the Indian Olympic Association, you can drive to Bengaluru where the SAI campus is already under lockdown. there are hostel facilities and the men's and women's hockey teams are there. Does that make sense? Rahi Sarnobat: I think right now I am comfortable here in Kolhapur as the shooting range is going to reopen very soon. I have all the shooting equipment available, including guns and ammunition. Also, no one knows when the situation is going to improve considerably, so these are very uncertain times. If a camp is organised, then how long will it go on for? So I think it is better for athletes to remain in a secure environment where they will be able to sustain themselves for a long period of time. In my opinion, travelling isn't safe at the moment, but in the future when the situation improves, maybe I will consider going to such a camp. Right now I am comfortable in Kolhapur. DSD: I was speaking to Sebastian Coe last week and he said that the sportsperson is extremely resilient. After winning the Asian games gold and then the Olympic quota at the Munich world cup you were set for the Olympics. Now how do you deal with this pause? Rahi Sarnobat: It will definitely affect our preparation and planning in the lead up to the Olympics. Now, we have to go back to the drawing board for our plan, but even to come up with a plan, we need a shooting calendar. We have no idea when competitions will return at the moment, so all we can do is wait. I think athletes should set themselves short-term goals for the next couple of weeks or a month. They can work on aspects of their game which they otherwise wouldn't get a chance to work on because of the hectic schedule. The one positive that we can draw from the postponement is that the games are 14 months away, so we have enough time to rest and return to outdoor training to get back into the groove. DSD: Momentum is crucial in sport, you were building up well to Tokyo 2020, how does one get that rhythm back, especially in a tough event like yours where there are two distinct aspects, precision and duelling... Rahi Sarnobat: Undoubtedly momentum is very important in sport. I don't think the Olympics will be the only event that will take place next year. There will definitely be events leading up to the games which will allow us to get our rhythm back. We have to take those tournaments extremely seriously and try to get our momentum back. I believe domestic competitions will be held by the end of the year and international competitions will resume in the early part of next year, so that should give us enough time to properly prepare for the Tokyo Olympics. DSD: Do you think it is essential to hold domestic competitions from September or October so that once the international calendar resumes, our shooters are in the competitive zone at least. Rahi Sarnobat: Domestic competitions should resume very soon, but I think only small-scale events will be possible. Events with more than 50 shooters will be very difficult to organise, so holding a full-fledged national championship is out of the question. Maybe, a tournament can be organised for the top 10 national shooters of every event. In terms of online shooting, it is only possible for 10-metre events, for the 25m, 50m and shotgun events, it is necessary to be outdoors or at the shooting range. Even a small-scale competition will be extremely helpful for the shooters because that is what keeps us motivated. It will give us a much-needed push. DSD: As a top shooter, who is going for a medal at the Olympics and needs to stay in the competitive zone, do we have the bench strength to hold competitions that in some way match up to the international level events. Rahi Sarnobat: Five or ten years ago, the scenario was different, when India had only 1-2 shooters who were elite international athletes. However, now we are a global shooting superpower, there are at least 4 shooters in each category who have excelled at the international level in the last few years. Having said that, we cannot hold tournaments with just these 4-5 shooters, we need at least 8 participants in a competition for it to have the feel of an international event. Also, I feel that the nature of competition is not very important after such a prolonged break, any sort of competition will be helpful for the shooters. Something is better than nothing. DSD: There is a huge question mark over the Olympics even now despite the postponement Rahi. Does that bother you as someone who was heading in as a medal contender? Rahi Sarnobat: I am trying to be as positive as I can. No athlete prepares for just one Olympic games in their careers, every sportsperson aims to excel in all events they participate in. If these games do not happen, then I will start preparing for the 2024 Games. However, for some athletes, who are entering the twilight of their careers, a year's postponement can make a world of a difference. Even in physical sports, like athletics, the postponement could be very difficult to deal with. We as shooters are in a way lucky that ours is not a very physical sport. The IOC has given us a date and we have to continue preparing for the Tokyo Olympics with that date in mind unless an official announcement is made regarding the cancellation of the event, that is the only option we have. This year as well, till the official announcement was made regarding the postponement, I was training for the July 2020 Olympics. There was a lot of speculation for more than a month about the games, but that didn't stop me from training. It is only when the official announcement was made that I stopped my training for the July 2020 games. So, I will follow the same principle for the 2021 games. Even if the Olympics are cancelled, then the training that I put in will not be worthless, it will definitely help me in future competitions. DSD: Shooting is a very fickle sport and a lot of it depends on that day. Do you see this period of uncertainty extending into the shooting calendar that if and when the season resume there are going to be some very skewed results? Rahi Sarnobat: Yes that might be a possibility. Different countries are at varying stages of dealing with the pandemic, so that means that in terms of training, it is not a level playing field for all athletes in the world at the moment. That might change in a few months and we might see shooters back at ranges. However, there is still more than a year to go for the games and I do believe that shooters will get enough time to prepare. We might see the overall shooting scores decrease slightly, but I don't think there will be a completely new set of medalists at the Tokyo Games. We won't see a shooter come out of anywhere and win a medal. The world's top shooters will still be competing for that coveted prize. DSD: Have you sort of adjusted to the fact that your coach may not be able to be with you for a substantial portion of the months leading up to the Olympics from now and what will be the alternative? Rahi Sarnobat: The contract that I had with my personal coach, Munkhbayar Dorksuren, was only till July 2020. I am right now in two minds about renewing my contract, but frankly, I don't think it is feasible for me to keep a personal coach. I think am ready to be guided by the team coaches. My former personal coach, Munkhbayar Dorksuren, was a great mentor for me over the past few years and she has made me an independent shooter, so that has put me in a good position to go forward. Also, I have now been shooting for over 15 years and have gained a lot of experience, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem for me to be without a coach. I think I am capable enough to adapt and I will do my best to remain at the top level. DSD: The thing with Indian shooting is that even though we have 15 Olympic qualified shooters heading to Tokyo, there is very little coordination between most shooters as it is largely an individual sport, but considering the present situation would it be better for everyone to keep exchanging notes through this period. Rahi Sarnobat: I think all 15 of us are keeping in touch in some form. The situation was different a few years ago, when there wasn't as much communication between shooters, that is not the case now. We have spent a lot of time with each other and we do exchange notes from time to time. The younger generation of shooters are very friendly, they are always willing to learn and ask a lot of questions. They are hungry, enthusiastic, energetic and curious. That's a very positive sign for the team. I like to spend time with them because it reminds me of my youth and it re-energises me. The NRAI made it a point to create a team atmosphere among Indian shooters and I must say that is working. There is a great camaraderie among all of us, which maybe wasn't there in the Indian team a few years back. DSD: What is your advice to your fellow shooters, many of whom are pretty young and were headed to their first Olympics? Rahi Sarnobat: Frankly speaking, I feel like asking them for advice sometimes as they are such skilled shooters. I don't even know if there is anything I can tell them which will improve their game, such is their level. The scenario when I was starting out my career about ten years back, was very different from what it is now. The young shooters were very excited for the 2020 Tokyo Games, ready to win multiple medals and I must say they were prepared to do so. They were training superbly and everything was in place for them to excel. The postponement has inconvenienced us all, but the games will hopefully still go ahead. My advice to them would be to stay patient. If they are able to do so, I have no doubt in my mind that they will achieve their goals.

Rahi: Will understand if the Olympics are not held

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