Inspired by Abhinav Bindra, Agrima Kanwar keeps going

For someone who didn’t know much about former Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra before she started shooting, Agrima Kanwar has caught the attention of one and all winning a silver in the women’s skeet event of the on-going Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar to become the first medal winner from Himachal Pradesh

Hyderabad: For someone who didn’t know much about former Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra before she started shooting, Agrima Kanwar has caught the attention of one and all winning a silver in the women’s skeet event of the on-going Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar to become the first medal winner from Himachal Pradesh.

“But when I started pistol shooting some years ago, my father, a Colonel in the Indian Army, gifted me a copy of Mr. Bindra’s autobiography, A Shot At History. He said I would find it relatable. And he was absolutely right,” Agrima informed media.

“Reading about how he dealt with that failure, the patience and perfectionism he practiced, and how he bounced back made a deep impact. I realised that setbacks are a part of the journey,” she said.

“Whenever I feel low after a not so good day at the range, I revisit his book. Even reading a few lines reminds me that it is okay not to be perfect every day. There’s always another day. That mindset has changed how I shoot, how I think,” Agruna said.

“My father is in the Army, so guns always fascinated me. Unlike Pistol, which is constant and indoors, skeet is influenced by outdoor factors—wind, rain, unpredictable conditions — all of which make it more challenging. I enjoy that,” Agrima said.

She has been groomed by Rio and Tokyo Olympian Mairaj Ahmed Khan.

“I always felt connected to Himachal. I noticed that the State State doesn’t get a lot of representation in events like these. So, I felt like it was time to represent my roots,” Agrima said.

“The medal boosted my confidence. Now I know that if I can do it once, I can do it again. My father has always told me – it’s one shot at a time. Don’t overthink. Just focus on the next thing. That’s exactly what Mr. Bindra did!”

While her immediate goal is to get into the National junior squad and win medals at the coming World Cup competitions, she also dreams of meeting Abhinav Bindra someday. “I’d probably be dumbstruck, but I will surely thank him. His story has kept me going. And I know it has inspired a whole generation of athletes like me,” she said.