Exclusive: Indian shooting team's unsung hero at Paris Games - Suma Shirur

India enjoyed a stellar run at the Paris Olympics in August as they clinched three medals in shooting at the quadrennial Games. Not just the Olympics but Indian shooters also impressed at the Paralympics as they claimed four medals including a gold medal for Avani Lekhara. While India had heroes to thank for making the nation proud, there was an unsung hero in the Indian shooting camp who played a key role in both the Olympics and the Paralympics.

Suma Shirur exclusive

Suma Shirur, part of the Indian shooting team’s coaching staff spoke exclusively to WION’s Aditya Pimpale as she reflected on India’s successful run. Suma has been with the Indian team in recent years, working day in and day out to help the shooters clinch glory at the grandest stages like the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games and other big tournaments. In her initial days, she won the gold medal in 10 m air rifle pairs in Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 while also winning tons of other honours.

Question: What was the journey like being part of the Indian team’s coaching team at the Paris Games?

It feels extraordinary, to be honest, three years ago we had a poor run at the Tokyo Olympics, but now things have changed. To see Manu Bhaker win, Swapnil Kusale grab hold of a medal highlighting how Indian shooting has developed and graduated in the last few years. To be part of the journey feels very proud having been close to myself in the 2004 Athens Olympics. I am thankful to NRAI for making things happen and standing with the shooters.

Question: You were close to winning a medal in Athens and now you guided the Manu and team to clinch the medals, so what has changed over the years?

Again, it feels great you know, I was there in the final in the 10m air rifle but missed out while Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won silver. To be honest we could have added more medals between 2012 and 2024 but we missed out on mental work. But things have changed in the last few years, we have started converting our Asian Games, Commonwealth Games to success but still reckon we can do better with the mental side of things.

Question: We won four medals in the Paralympics, one was a gold for Avani so did that success taste sweeter?

Of course, Avani had won gold in Tokyo and I was with her and she was determined to repeat the success. I reckon Paralympic athletes go through a lot of struggle and to overcome that you need to share determination. Avani is mentally very strong and was always prepared for it as her hard work showcased when she took to the range.

Suma in 2006 founded the Lakshya Shooting Club in New Panvel, an organisation to support budding shooters, with the mission of "Live for the glory of the game. She is the pioneer of young Indian shooters and has achieved a lot of success in taking shooting as a household game. Suma’s work has been widely recognised by the local, NRAI and the Indian government which has given a helping hand to the Lakshya Shooting Club.

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Question: How does Lakshya Shooting Club function and how is it helping the shooters?

We’ll have a well-structured and state-of-the-art facility to function at the Lakshya Shooting Club. While the sport now gaining popularity, I have given my heart and soul in the last two decades to make it accessible to everyone. I have stored my old rifles and pistols which at times to the help of the shooters.

We also organise scouting camps where the best athletes are given scholarships funded by government, semi-government and private organisations. Underprivileged shooters with talent are given special attention to help them grow at the Lakshya Shooting Club. My next aim is to develop a more suitable shooting range where Paralympic athletes can also have a friendly environment.