Never thought I will reach so far in shooting: Tejaswini

Talented shooter Tejaswini Sawant had never thought that one day she would become the first Indian woman to clinch a gold medal at the World Championship. She gave a world-record equalling score in the 50m Rifle Prone event. As she herself puts it that had she not been ignored for a shooting event in college days,she would have had never pursued shooting after her NCC training ended. Tejaswini who was felicitated by Sahara India in the state capital on Tuesday,revealed that it was during NCC training in 1998 when she was in graduation second year that another girl was selected for a shooting tourney while her name was ignored which gave her the killer instinct. “I felt quite hurt at this as I was confident that I was better than her in the sport. Thereafter,I told myself that I will concentrate on the event so much that I will prove I am better in the game. Had this incident not taken place,I would have left shooting after the NCC training. Not getting selected gave me the killer instinct to excel or else after completing my studies,my parents would have had married me off. Seeing my determination and will to excel,they also supported me,” she explained.

“Parents play a very important role in a child’s success. My parents always showed good confidence in me. I really missed my father,who expired earlier this year,when I won the gold Munich,” she said. The 29-year-old shooter from Kohlapur said that she will be wasting no time in preparing for the 2011 World Cup. Regarding the Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held at Delhi,the Melbourne Commonwealth Games double gold medallist said,“ I always tell myself to give my best performance in whichever event I participate and I will be doing the same during Commonwealth Games as well. Of course,winning medals at home is a completely different experience,” she said.

She said that sportspersons need sponsorship. “The sponsorship from Sahara has helped to concentrate on the sport. Sportspersons often have to play under financial constraints. I too faced such problems whenever I needed new weapons for practice and participation in events. I often used to play with borrowed equipment. But now I do not have to play any such pressure. In fact,now I can take out some money for my home also.”

‘I let my gundo the talking’
Renowned shooter Gagan Narang does not believe in hiding his feelings. Narang on Tuesday made it clear that he felt hurt at not getting the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. Speaking during the function Narang said this year “he has achieved a high winning the medal at World Championships and a low being ignored for the prestigious award.”He,however,made it clear he will participate in the Commonwealth Games with determination. “Many people want to see me succeed and I will shoot at the Commonwealth Games. Support of people will always motivate me to perform well.”