Rifle shooter Sonam Maskar ready for Asian Games test

New Delhi, Jul 16 (PTI) For Kolhapur's Sonam Uttam Maskar, shooting was just a hobby when she first took interest in the sport but having successfully turned that into a career choice, the rifle shooter is now gearing up for her biggest test so far -- a maiden Asian Games appearance in September. The 23-year-old 10m air rifle shooter announced herself on the international stage in 2024 with three silver medals, including a standout finish at the ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi, cementing her place among India's brightest shooting talents. With the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou starting July 20 coming up before the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in September-October, Sonam will look to carry that momentum onto the multi-sport showpiece. Remarkably, it all began as a hobby. "I was always interested in sports and even played chess. I wanted to try something different, so I took up shooting as a hobby. But it soon became something I wanted to build my career around," she said. Sonam first picked up a rifle in 2018 while studying commerce in Mumbai. Her journey, however, was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial strain it placed on her family. She resumed training seriously at the Kolhapur shooting range in 2021. "There was a time when we were facing financial difficulties, especially during the lockdown. When it became clear that I needed my own equipment, my father sold a property so we could buy it. It was a huge decision, but my family has always backed me," she said. Her father, Uttam Maruti Maskar, sold a family property to keep her dream alive. It paid off as Sonam clinched silver at the 2024 ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi after earlier winning individual and mixed team silver medals at the Cairo World Cup, performances that also earned her a placement in the Railways. "The World Cup Final medal in Delhi is one of the most special moments of my career. Winning silver in front of the home crowd was unforgettable," she said. Now, her sights are firmly set on the Asian Games as she fine-tunes her preparations with foreign coach Farnik Thomas and the Indian coaching staff. "My preparations are going well. We are focused on being in the best possible shape for the Asian Games," she said. "I am extremely grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. My family has always stood by me." PTI AM PM AM PM PM