Shooting World Cup | CWG snub motivates Shahzar Rizvi to win gold

India’s 27-member shooting squad for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games did not have the name of Shahzar Rizvi. Taking this snub personally, Rizvi set a world record in the finals of the shooting World Cup on Saturday that won him a gold medal in his debut appearance.

"I couldn't understand why I was dropped. I thought I was shooting really well," said Rizvi.

His coach even wrote a letter to the federation asking them to reconsider their decision and add Rizvi to their Commonwealth Games squad.

"It was a jolt. Based on his recent results, I was sure he was going to be picked. The Federation had their limitations. They have to send a reduced team size and the fact that both Jitu and Om Prakash participate in two events (10m pistol and 50m pistol) went in their favour," said surprised Pandit.

Rizvi, who started his training under coach Pandit in March last year, had expressed his ambitions to play in the Olympics to him.

"He told me that his goal was the Olympics. And if that was the target, the Commonwealth Games need not be a priority. I told him that while he might not be okay with the decision, he had to use it to steel himself for the future, I explained that shooting is a measurable sport. His scores would have to speak for themselves, " said a consoling coach.

After his bold prediction became a reality, his coach boasted about his ward’s achievement.

"Shahzar is a no-nonsense shooter. He doesn't complain about what he doesn't have. He doesn't bother if he is missing a skill or a resource. He makes do with what he has," said Pandit.

Rizvi, who qualified for the finals with a seventh-place finish in the qualifying round, erased his memories of a poor start by setting a world record by acquiring gold in the World Cup.

"We had two weeks before the World Cup and coach had made me practice shooting in finals. I was shooting 245 regularly. I only finished with 242.3 because I shot an 8.9 and an 8.5 in the second round of shots. Because I arrived late to the venue, I wasn't able to adapt to the conditions which were a little hot. I overheated and made some simple mistakes. These are areas I have to work on," said the new world champion.