'They are inevitable…' - How Rhythm Sangwan embraced previous failure to recover and win Paris Olympics quota for India

Published at :February 7, 2024 at 7:18 PM

Modified at :February 8, 2024 at 7:42 AM

(Courtesy : SAI Media)

Rhythm Sangwan had previously missed sealing qualification thrice by a narrow margin.

Rhythm Sangwan, the second Indian woman to secure a Paris Olympics quota in the 25m pistol event, knows how to handle the pressure of the game. “Over the years you just develop the strength to take that hit and fight back,” she said, after overcoming a shaky start in the quota-deciding series, where she missed the first three shots. She recalled a similar situation in Cairo in 2022, where she lost the quota to Haniyeh Rostamiyan by a whisker. But this time, she showed her resilience and bounced back.

Daughter of a DSP officer, Rhythm, grew up around guns and weapons. She was fascinated by the sound of gunfire and the atmosphere of the shooting range. She visited the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi for the first time when she was 12-year-old, and that’s where her journey to become a World Champion began.

She credits her family for their unwavering support. Her mother, Neelam, accompanied her to every training session, while her father, Narender Kumar, ensured that she had the best facilities. “My parents always wanted me to pursue any sports so one day out of the blue, we just went to the shooting range, and the environment there excited me,” said Rhythm.

She also praised her mentor, Vinit Kumar, who had a close connection with her father. She said he was a “one-man Army” who guided her through every challenge and difficulty. “He’s a one-man Army. He did those things. I tell him everything whatever issues I’m facing, whatever thoughts that I’ve, I tell him everything and he just clears the path for me. I think the hard work and dedication that he’s put, I’ve never seen any human being do that. So, I think that’s why maybe because I’m here, I would say.”

Rhythm also added that he was her inspiration and role model, and she wanted to emulate his passion for the game. “Vinit Kumar, my personal mentor, had already known my father, making things fall into place seamlessly. It just felt destined to happen. I want to be like him, he is my inspiration for the passion he has for the game is unmatchable,” she said.

On October 22, 2022, Rhythm faced a heartbreaking moment in Cairo, where she missed out on the Olympic quota by a narrow margin. She qualified third with a score of 587 but failed to hit any target in the last series of the previous ranking format. She lost the lead and the quota to Haniyeh Rostamiyan, who had 11 hits and a higher qualification round score. Rhythm was left to deal with the bitter disappointment of losing a golden opportunity.

“My philosophy is to embrace failure and defeat with grace because they are inevitable in any game. I believe in giving equal respect to both outcomes and learning from them. I also think that the small things matter a lot, like working hard and smart towards your goal. I always keep going despite the failures and challenges. And I always try to look at the bright side and the positive aspects of any situation.”

That was what she said on January 11, 2024, after she had fought till the last shot and secured the final quota for India in the same category.

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“I owe a lot to my family and my coach for their support and guidance. They taught me from the very beginning to be humble, grounded, and a good person above everything else. Success or talent as an athlete does not mean that you are a good person, but you have to be a good person first and foremost and be kind to others.”

Rhythm emphasized the need for support from some key sectors to in shooting Journey. She said, “I also received a lot of help from foundations like Welspun, who provide financial and logistical assistance for high-performance training, nutrition, medical expenses, sports apparel, equipment, domestic and international tournament participation, and exposure tours. Moreover, having international brands like PUMA as sponsors eases the pressure allows the athletes to focus on the main goal and boosts their confidence.”

India has emerged as a powerhouse in shooting, with a record-breaking performance at the Asian Games 2023 and a remarkable tally of 19 Olympic quotas for the Paris Games 2024.

As the Paris Olympics are approaching, and India is considering hosting the 2036 Olympics, she echoed the sentiment of “having shooters excel in sports at the world stage. We are doing very well in all categories, whether it is rifle, shotgun, or pistol. We are among the top three in most of the medal tallies. I think the shooters are working very hard and diligently. And I think it is going very well. I hope to see more participation and more success in the upcoming Olympics and the future ones as well. I hope that our country does great.”

Rhythm shared her thoughts on how to boost the involvement of people in shooting as a recreational activity.

“I also think that shooting deserves more attention from the media. There should be more coverage of the sport because we are doing so well. The shooters are performing very well, and it is not just the pistol events, but also the rifle and shotgun events. We are making our mark on the global stage and doing very well. But in our country, only one or two sports get all the limelight.”

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