New Delhi: Niraj Kumar discovered his passion for shooting during his school years at a National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp in his hometown of Hoshiarpur. This initial interest blossomed into a profound dedication, prompting him to forge his own path to pursue the sport.

At the age of 15, he began travelling independently to participate in competitions. Before his 12th-grade board exams, he persuaded his family to invest in a .22m Walther gun, promising them that he would complete his graduation in return. As he began to achieve success at the domestic level, financial constraints hindered his ability to purchase ammunition for practice. Consequently, he sought employment to secure his future, which led him to pursue a position in the Navy. His consistent performance at junior national championships ultimately earned him the job he had aspired to in 2018.

“Since securing my position in the Navy, life on the shooting range has become significantly easier. I can concentrate on my shooting, and my family has encouraged me, saying, ‘You have the courage, pursue your passion for shooting as much as you wish,’” remarked the soft-spoken Niraj, 25, following his gold medal victory at the 38th National Games in Dehradun.

This latest medal marked his third consecutive achievement at the Games, having previously won gold in Gujarat and silver in Goa. His victory was particularly noteworthy as he triumphed over a competitive field that included Paris Olympics bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale and two-time Olympian Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar, who are recognized as India’s top rifle three-position shooters. Niraj has also demonstrated remarkable consistency, finishing fourth in the Olympic selection trials held domestically. On Thursday, he delivered an outstanding performance, leading from the outset to achieve a score of 464.1. Aishwarya secured the silver with 462.4 points, while Kusale took home the bronze with 447.7.

“Competing alongside Swapnil and emerging victorious is incredibly motivating. He shared insights from his experience at the Paris Olympics. He is a few years my senior, and I have known him since my junior days. His work ethic is commendable,” Niraj expressed to HT.

Coach Manoj Kumar, who has mentored him at the National Centre of Excellence at Karni Singh Range, describes him as a highly competitive shooter. “Although he may not outwardly display it, he possesses a strong desire to win every competition he enters.”

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