Q) Could you tell us about yourself?
Ans. I am Varda Sharma. I am 19 years old and a first year student of Bcom. programme in Maitreyi College. I have also been indulged in trap shooting ever since I was in the 7th grade.
Q) What made you go for trap shooting?
Ans. Well, it's quite a funny story, I am the only child of my parents but I live in a joint family. So, firstly my elder brother started doing trap shooting, and being a typical younger sibling I used to follow him around to know more about the sport. It all simply began this way, but as time passed I started enjoying my game. It has also given me much mental stability over the years.
Q) What motivates you to be trained as a trap shooter?
Ans. It was a time when a foreign coach had come to India from Russia. His name was Rustom and he was an Olympian, a world champion, and a very big name in our sports. He had come to train his students and I remember while I was shooting he also observed me. He felt that I had some potential, and that is something just hit me. It gave me immense confidence and that was a turning point in my life . After my first year I did get coaching, but the sad part is that in India there isn’t much coaching available for this sport unless you get in the Indian team. However, motivated comments of my coach and many others gave me a boost to keep going.
Q) What is the first step you have taken after you decided to get training in this sport?
Ans. When Rustom sir came to me and told me about my ability, I quickly called my father and told him about the whole situation. I remember my father was very happy after he heard this, and we the decided that now is the time to do something apart from studies. In 2019, my biggest achievement was winning a national championship. I went for about 10 days of training, but due to some family issues I couldn't train all that much. However, something happened and I came out from the competition with a national gold medal, and that is something which gave me more confidence to continue this sport.
Q) What were the problems you faced in initial days of training?
Ans. I am a girl and in this society there is a mentality that you have to look a certain way. Shooting is an outdoor sport so tanning comes naturally. Also, gun powder gave me pimples. Often people would come to me and they tend to enquire why I am still in this game, but now I have gotten to point where whenever someone points out my tanning or marks, I tell them that this is a product of my hard work and passion. For me the society is the biggest hurdle. Apart from my father and my mother my whole family used to make such insensitive comments. Although, my brother is doing the same work too, he has never has had these issues.
Q) Other than trap shooting are you engaged in any other sports?
Ans. Other than shooting I like to swim but I am not doing it on a competitive level, that is just for fun.
Q) What are your future plans with respect to your trap shooting and yourself?
Ans. I think that I have been riding on two boats at the same time. I take both my studies and the sport very seriously, but generally people pursue only one in the end. I have a dilemma. On one hand, I want to have startup and become a CEO while on the other one, I also want to become the first lady to bring gold Olympic medal for our country.
Q) What is that one thing or may be an individual who helps you to keep motivated and keeps you going?
Ans. It has to be my father because I'm really close to my father, we share a special bond which keeps me going. Half of what I am today is because of him. Secondly, my coach Vikram sir is another inspiration for me.
Q) Could you just brief us about your entire journey?
Ans. When I started trap shooting, I was around 12 years of age. My first coach Sodhi sir started my journey he is a very sweet and humble man. He is the reason why I had started this apart from my brother and then journey went on. After this, my brother and I met with Manavjit Singh Sandhu, who is the best trap shooter in Asia. He formed a very good connect with my brother, so he gave me lots of practical points as well. I also worked with Shreyasi Singh who was very calm and supportive. She helped me a lot because shooting is not just a game of physical strength but it also needs mental stability. After that we moved to national team and I met Vikram sir. In this journey I also made some very good friends who understand me very well.
Q) Would you like to give an advice for your peers and for younger generation?
Ans. If you want to achieve something whole heartedly then you have to devote yourself towards your goal completely. However, you need to channel it in a positive way so that it doesn’t become a hurdle for your life and further relations.
HIGHLIGHTS
-Varda Sharma started her journey as a trap shooter in grade 7.
-She primarily got interested in shooting because of her brother, however she soon discovered her own talent and became immensely immersed in the sport.
-While she had a lot of coaches, her life changed when Rustom Sir, an Olympian, noticed her talent and began guiding her.
-Winning a national championship was one of the high points of her journey.
-She is currently facing a dilemma about whether to become a CEO or continue trap shooting.
-She hopes to make an informed decision and to continue making her parents proud.
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