Prepared For Any Eventuality, Shooter Rudransh Khandelwal Eyes Success In Maiden Paris Paralympics 2024

Being prepared for any eventuality and remaining confident in his ability is 17-year-old pistol marksman Rudransh Khandelwal's mantra in life as he embarks on a journey to bring glory from the Paris Paralympics. Having lost his left leg in a freak mishap when he was just eight-years-old, the teenaged Bharatpur boy never let disability come in his way as he excelled in shooting sport to become the world No.1 in 50m pistol (SH1) and is now aiming for nothing less than a gold in his maiden Paralympics.

To achieve his aim, he is leaving nothing to chance, including taking a spare pistol and a tool-kit for his prosthetic leg, just in case it breaks during competition.

Seeing ace shooter Manu Bhaker struggle with a pistol malfunction during the Tokyo Olympics was a "lesson" for Rudransh, who now always carries a spare pistol for both domestic and international competitions.

"Like the weapon malfunction during competition, how to quickly get used to the other (spare) weapon and shoot. I prepare myself for every eventuality in competition, including a delayed match, a shot getting cancelled, or any other eventuality.

"So, if at all an adverse situation arises, I will be ready to handle it," said Rudransh, adding, he learnt this after seeing Manu's pistol malfunction in Tokyo.

Manu had a pistol malfunction during the 10m competitions in Tokyo which cost her a place in the final.

"Definitely, that (Manu incident) gave me that thought (to always keep a spare weapon). You might have confidence in your abilities but the weapon is only an equipment, which can malfunction anytime. Following that incident, every shooter gives priority to a spare weapon," said one of India's best medal hopes at the Paralympics, which start on Wednesday.