At 13, trap-shooter from state is youngest

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 9

After becoming the youngest shooter of the national junior team in double trap, Shapath Bharadwaj made another record by being part of the Uttarakhand state double trap team at the age of 13 and thus, becoming the youngest trap shooter in the national games. Competing with ace trap shooters of the country in the national games which began in Kerala from January 31, he attained the 16th national rank in the double trap event. He received appreciation from shooters’ fraternity and officials for his excellent performance.

Every state nominates its best players for participation in the games. The state of Kerala hosted the 35th national games this year. Uttarakhand nominated its youngest trap shooter Shapath along with his fellow team members Akdas Siddiqui (17) and Divya Pratap Singh (18) to represent the state in the double trap shooting event.

A new shooting range for trap events came up inside the Kerala Police Academy in Thrissur town, where, competing with ace shooters such as three-time world champion Ronjan Sodhi, Asian Games event winner Ankur Mittal, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Mohd Asab, Sangram Singh Dahiya and Ajay Mittal, budding shooter Shapath Bharadwaj scored 110 out of 150 and received appreciation for his shooting skills at a tender age.

“Playing in the national games is a dream for a player. I am happy that I got the opportunity to play with ace shooters of international repute,” said Shapath, crediting his coach Yoginder Pal Singh alias Yogi for his performance. “I give the credit for my good performance to my coach, who taught me nuances of trap shooting and devoted his precious time to train me,” said Shapath, who also thanked Uttarakhand Rifle Association’s secretary general Subhash Rana for giving him an opportunity to represent the state in the national games.