{
  "id": 8430344,
  "title": "FPJ Exclusive | From Teenage Sensation To Chasing Asian Games Glory: Indian Trap Shooter Shapath Bharadwaj's Grit-Filled Journey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/fpj-exclusive-from-teenage-sensation-to-chasing-asian-games-glory",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/fpj-exclusive-from-teenage-sensation-to-chasing-asian-games-glory-indian-trap-shooter-shapath-bharadwajs-grit-filled-journey"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian trap shooter Shapath Bharadwaj is poised to represent his nation in the upcoming Asian Games 2026. Bharadwaj has shared his remarkable journey from a teenage sensation to chasing Asian Games glory in an exclusive interview with The Free Press Journal. As a child, Bharadwaj developed an early fascination with guns and started shooting at the tender age of 11, eventually turning professional at 12. Growing up in Meerut, he traveled extensively to train at the Karni Singh Shooting Range, often waking up at the crack of dawn to adhere to his rigorous schedule. This early start instilled a sense of grit and discipline that has become a hallmark of his career.\n\nDuring his professional journey, Bharadwaj experienced a defining phase when he transitioned from double trap to trap shooting, a shift that occurred when the latter was removed from Olympic eligibility. At 17, he was already ranked 18th in the world and had competed in a senior World Cup final. This period was characterized by a mental reevaluation and the need to redefine expectations, marking a significant period of personal growth and mental fortitude.\n\nAnother pivotal phase in Bharadwaj's career was his time away from shooting while pursuing a Master's degree in Science at the IOC's university in Greece. Spending nearly a year without training or competing, he discovered the importance of having a broader professional identity beyond shooting. This experience taught him resilience and the necessity of balancing athletic pursuits with other professional responsibilities. These formative periods have collectively shaped Bharadwaj into the formidable trap shooter he is today, preparing him for the challenges and expectations of competing in the Asian Games.",
  "summary": "Shapath Bharadwaj is set to represent India in trap shooting at the Asian Games 2026, bringing with him years of experience, resilience and lessons from a career that has seen him transition from double trap to trap. In an exclusive conversation with The Free Press Journal , Bharadwaj opened up about his journey in shooting, his early days, the challenges of switching events, his training and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}