NEW DELHI: "Pressure, what's that sir," reacted
Saurabh Chaudhary when asked about his thoughts going into the
ISSF World Cup
Rifle/Pistol, which is scheduled to be held in the national capital from February 20 to 28.
It's an exercise in vain trying to read Saurabh's mind, the country's shooting superstar in the 10m air pistol. For the 16-year-old
Meerut
boy, words like 'pressure' or 'burden of expectations' have no significance as he doesn't believe in pushing himself too hard. "There's always another day, another championship and another medal to win," he said nonchalantly.
Saurabh's journey - and his equally path-breaking performances - from his native Kalina village to making the World Cup squad at home in just three years' time has been extraordinary. Right from participating in the zonal and national championships to clinching gold in the Asian Games, Youth Olympics, Asian Airgun and Junior ISSF World championships, Saurabh has established himself as one of the finest exponents of shooting the country has ever produced. Naturally, the expectations are high as Saurabh looks to shoot down a quota place at the upcoming World Cup for his maiden trip to the Olympics - the 2020 Tokyo Games.
"I just believe in going out there and giving my best. I have been making a transition from junior ranks to the senior group, so it's important to keep calm and remain focused while producing the best results. Nothing has changed for me since the day I started wining gold in international tournaments. For me, I have been following the same practice routine and will continue to do so," he said.
"On any normal day, I train for five-six hours. When part of the national camp, there are electronic targets and back home, where I train under my coach Amit Sheoran sir at his Veer Samahal rifle club academy in
Baghpat, I train with manual paper targets. So, everything remains same for me, even the technique," he added.
However, Saurabh has just one immediate worry on his hand - his 10th Board exams, the preparations for which are clashing with his training for the World Cup. But the teenager has figured a way out. "I will study late in the night and practice as usual during the day time, with a little longer sleep break in the afternoon. I know that would be tough on my body, but that's how champions are made. For me, both the World Cup and exams are important and I can't sacrifice either of them," he said.
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