Motivated: Rudrankksh says the aim is gold, that his hunger to win is unabated.
| Photo Credit: R.V. MOORTHY
Going for his second Asian Games, 22-year-old Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil is a far cry from the teenager who took to the firing station in Hangzhou. It’s been only three years but the period since then has seen the shy, nerdy and overthinking kid grow into a more assured, relaxed and quietly confident person.
“Excitement,” he declared when asked what was the predominant feeling. The Indian pistol and rifle shooters have gathered here for a short preparatory camp starting Sunday before leaving on the 14th for Nagoya.
Rudrankksh, the only Indian male shooter who will participate in two events, is not bothered with the responsibility, challenge or expectations of managing both.
The 10m air rifle and the 50m 3 Position are completely different and come with their own set of challenges. Rudrankksh, though, insists it isn’t impossible.
“I am getting to participate in two events and I am able to see that all the hard work which I have put in is paying off,” he told The Hindu.
“This is the first Asian Games and fourth international competition in which I will compete in two events. Every time I have improved a little bit. I have good coaches, good support staff. I am excited.”
He missed out on a medal in the 10m by the barest of margins in a shoot-off with compatriot Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and is not hesitant to admit it hurt.
“Last time I came fourth in a shoot-off, I was really sad about that honestly. I don’t want to experience that, I would like to improve my rank. Of course, the aim is gold. So there is a lot of motivation. The hunger and greed is unabated. And I think my training is going decent, so let’s see,” he said.
He is also learning to understand his own body and to manage it, and his mind, between events. “I used to be at extremes back then; completely in or completely out.
“I would control myself at the moment something happened but once the event was over, I would be very sad or high-strung, wanting to keep winning at all costs. Now I am comparatively more in control,” he said.
Published – September 06, 2026 07:39 pm IST
