By The shooting trials for the 2024 Paris Olympics have concluded, and Sandeep Singh, an army man, has topped the charts. He achieved a qualification score of 634.4, 632.6, 631.6, and 628.3 in the men’s 10m air rifle. This was Sandeep Singh’s introduction to the Indian shooting circuit, and in his first attempt, he stunned the likes of Arjun Babuta (Quota Holder) and 2022 men’s 10m shooting world champion Rudrankksh Patil.
This means Sandeep Singh’s name will likely appear on the Indian Shooter’s list for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which is released by the National Rifle Association of India. It is worth noting that Sandeep took the top step, while Babuta and Patil finished second and third, respectively.
Also Read: Is This The End Of The Indian Football Team?
According to Sandeep, the credit for this victory goes to the mental toughness instilled in him by the Indian army and the meditation and calmness training he received at the Army Marksman Unit in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. He said, “When you feel even a bit distracted or sense a kind of pressure around you, then you focus on your breathe and then follow the sequence. We are taught in our regular meditation sessions on how to control our thinking. Reliance Foundation has provided me with a great set of experts, such as psychologists, nutritionists, and physiotherapists. I thank them for their immense support.”
However, Sandeep Singh’s career could have ended even before it started. For the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Sandeep was on the reserve team. However, his doping test came out positive, and he was removed from the team, although he denied taking any illegal substances. This resulted in his dismissal from the Army Marksman Unit in Mhow, and he was sent back to his post in Siachin Glacier, where temperatures go as low as -40 Celsius. However, one of his senior officers realised his potential and allowed him to go train in Delhi.
