Former World No.1 and Tokyo Olympian Divyansh Singh Panwar, who competes in the 10m Air Rifle, on Friday said he has decided to also compete in the 50m Rifle Three Positions, keeping Olympics in mind.
The ISSF World Cup medallist coaches and seniors too influenced his decision, even though the 10m Air Rifle remains his ‘main’ focus.
The 19-year-old Divyansh tried his hand at the 50m Rifle Three Positions at the ongoing Khelo India University Games, representing Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
I decided to participate at the Khelo India University Games 2021 because my journey in 10m Air Rifle also started at the first-ever Khelo India Youth Games. I have recently started competing in the 50m Rifle Three Positions, and I wanted to start this journey once again at Khelo India. So, if I get a chance to go to the Olympics in this event, I want my journey to start once again from here,ÔÇØ he said.
In Tokyo last year, Divyansh competed in the Men 10m Air Rifle, and he is seeking to appear in more Olympics.
Several seniors and coaches have told me that if I start competing in 50m Rifle Three Positions, it will also help me in 10m Air Rifle.
I, obviously, want to keep my main focus on the 10m Air Rifle category, but I am ready to do anything which may help me in that event, so, I decided to start doing 50m rifle 3 positions as well. Both these events really support each other,ÔÇØ he added.
While Divyansh could not reach the final at KIUG, finishing with a score of 566 in the qualification round of 50m Rifle Three Positions, he is hopeful that his presence at the Games will motivate young athletes from different parts of the country.
Divyansh won a two gold medals at the 2019 ISSF World Cup Final in Putian, silver at the World Cup in Beijing and bronze at the 2021 World Cup in Delhi.
Before appearing at the Khelo India School Games (in 2018), I had not competed in any major tournaments and had not won any big medals. I was a very unknown player at the time. But it opened up doors for me to reach this level. You have to pick up small victories in life. Only then you can reach the top level,ÔÇØ Divyansh said.