Will focus on nationals, says Asian Games shooting star Rudrankksh Patil

Mumbai, Indian shooting sensation Rudrankksh Patil has set his sights on nationals, in his pursuit of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The 22-year-old, who won a bronze medal in the men's 10m Air Rifle Individual event at the recent Asian Games in Japan, said his three-medal haul is a significant step in building confidence for future competitions.

Patil's parents, aware of his diverse interests, encouraged him to explore various sports before settling on shooting. He began with gymnastics, table tennis, badminton, skating, cricket, and football, but none of the coaches pursued him further. It was a summer camp where he excelled, leading his coach to recommend him for the sport.

Asked about the necessary facilities and infrastructure to encourage shooting, Patil acknowledged that China has been investing heavily in ammunition production, leading to a monopoly in the industry. He advocated for small startup ideas to develop sports infrastructure and an Olympic-focused range, which would provide a more focused environment for top athletes.

The Indian shooting star emphasized the need for overall interest development at the grassroots level to make sports accessible to the middle-class population. He also pointed out discrepancies in cash rewards across different states and the lack of a central job recruitment system. Patil welcomed the Maharashtra Government's revised sports policy, which offers reservations in government and semi-government jobs for sportspersons who have won medals in Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, world championships, and Olympics.

He expressed his satisfaction with the state's sports policy, considering it one of the best available.