Gun for Glory shooting academy’s Swaroop Manohar Ulhankar has been selected in an 11-member squad to represent India at the IPC Shooting World Cup in Bangkok from November 5.
The Kolhapur-based para shooter came into the reckoning for his gold medal-winning performances at the recent nationals and his fine showing earlier in the KSS Competition conducted by the Paralympic Committee of India.
Swaroop, who trains under the head coach of GFG Anton Belak in Project Leap, will participate in the 10m Air Rifle Standing and Prone Competitions. He is confident of a good showing, especially as he has been training with the best equipment and that too under the guidance of the some of the best coaches.
“It’s been about four years that I have been training at the GFG and I have been steadily improving. Coach Anton Belak and Yuniatri Iliyas before him have worked on my shooting and I feel a lot more confident now,” an elated Swaroop said.
He was particularly thankful for Gagan Narang’s presence at the Academy.
“As I am a disabled person, I couldn’t find a coach in my initial days. But Gagan sir didn’t have any qualms about taking me under his wings and his support and tips have motivated me to do a lot more,” he added.
He explained that Narang made him focus on prone shooting and also gave him tips on how to concentrate better while shooting.
“Whenever I saw him at our practice sessions, I saw immense talent in him and I wanted to help him in any way I could. I am glad my advice has improved him and we will continue to leave no stone unturned to help him achieve his dreams,” Narang, the man behind the GFG initiative, said about his pupil.