Although shooting has given India four medals in as many editions in the past, a female athlete is yet to register her name on the hit-list. But, things could drastically change in the coming month, at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics,  with as many as seven female athletes set to feature in the mega-event. 

Later that year, she claimed nine medals at the national games and also broke the record set by veteran shooter Heena Sidhu. A year later, she created history by becoming the youngest shooter to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup. Top podium finishes at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics was more of establishing a strong foothold on the international stage. Slated to feature in three events at the Olympics, Bhaker will head to Tokyo as a major medal prospect.

Yashaswini Singh Deswal (10m air pistol, 10m air pistol team)

It was only months ago at the 2021 ISSF World Cup that everyone expected Manu Bhaker to clinch a gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event. However, Delhi’s Yashaswini  Deswal’s display meant that the outcomes would be contrasting, as she claimed the top-podium finish and startled quite a few in the build-up to the Olympics. But, that was hardly her first notable win. Deswal secured her berth for the Tokyo Games with a gold champion’s display at the 2019 ISSF World Cup in Tokyo.

Born to an IPS officer father, Deswal started shooting from the age of 15, her first major competitive tournament was the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics. But, her claim to fame appeared at the 2016 ISSF World Cup, where the then-teenager finished with a silver medal each in the individual and team events. Currently training with all the Tokyo-bound pistol and rifle shooters in Croatia, Deswal will lead India’s two-horse race along with Manu Bhaker in the 10m air pistol event in Tokyo. For the record, she is currently the top-ranked shooter in the category.

Dazzled by the magnitude of the occasion, Rahi Sarnobat’s first appearance at the Olympics, back in 2012, ended in the qualification round itself. Recuperating from the debacle, Rahi was struck with fresh assault – an injury which sidelined her for a good one year. However, her resurgence took off in 2015, where she started seeing things from a different perspective. Rahi summoned Munkhbayar Dorjsuren –a two-time Olympic medal winner as her personal coach. One of her competitors at the 2012 London Games, Dorjsuren injected sting in Rahi’s game and shaped her in the best possible way.

Elavenil Valarivan (10m air rifle, 10m air rifle team)

As a result, 25m air pistol shooter Chinki Yadav had to be axed from the contingent, which now stands at 15. The Cuddalore-based shooter will also team up with Divyansh Singh Panwar in the mixed 10m air rifle team event. In all probabilities, Elavenil would take the shooting range in Tokyo as favourites in each of the two events, making her such an important member of the shooting contingent. All at the age of 21!

Apurvi Chandela (10m air rifle)

Abhinav Bindra’s gold medal win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics sent ripple effects across the nation. The result was so remarkable that a certain aspiring sports journalist gave up on her ongoing venture and set fresh goals. Apurvi Chandela’s passion for the rifle did not go unnoticed, as her father and uncle pampered the Jaipur-girl with a personalised shooting range in domestic perimeters. The investments proved effective as Apurvi returned with a gold medal from the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Even though she followed up with a bronze medal at the 2015 ISSF World Cup, her first outing at the Olympics, in 2016, will remain a forgettable one as she was eliminated in the early stages of the meet. After a couple of years out of the spotlight, Apruvi made a grand comeback with five World Cup medals in 2019 which included two individual golds. Currently training under the supervision of Rakesh Manpat, the Indian shooter will leave for Tokyo as one of the heavyweights in the women’s 10m air rifle category.

As strange as it may sound, Anjum Moudgil secured an Olympics berth in the women’s 10m air rifle event, but she would be competing in the 50m rifle 3 positions event. The limit of two shooters per country for an event, coupled with the recent form of Elevenil Valarivan meant she had to be compromised. The 50m air rifle 3 positions is an event that Moudgil is familiar with, having won several medals in the category. In addition to the individual competition, she would be competing in the 10m air rifle mixed team event.

Tejaswini Sawant (50m rifle 3 positions)

In spite of her lofty efforts, an Olympic appearance has eluded her, but that’s going to change cometh the 2021 Tokyo Games. The veteran would be competing in the 50m rifle 3 positions - an event that fetched her the ultimate prize at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. After missing out on the 2012 London Games by a whisker and years of hard work, she finally qualified for the spectacle with a commendable display at the 2019 Asian Championships.