Gunning for glory

The second edition of Telangana Shooting Competitions-2015 that was held recently at Sports Authority of Telangana Shooting Ranges in Gachibowli marked yet another indication that Shaik Mohd Taher Quadri is here to stay.

A regular in the undivided Andhra Pradesh and now the Telangana State Rifle Association squads for his proven skills that have won him many meals in coveted championships, including setting new marks at the national level, Quadri is oozing with confidence.

In the recent event, he hit the bull’s eye in 50mts Small Bore Free Rifle 3P besides landing with the silver in the 50mts prone rifle. However, on a comparative note, it was marginally inferior to the inaugural edition of the State Championship, where he won gold in both the events.

“It was one of those bad days in office,” points out the mild-spoken Quadri, who is presently pursuing his second year M Tech (Computer Sciences) at the JNTU-affiliated, Nawab Shah Alam Khan College of Engineering & Technology. Incidentally, shooting was an option that happened by chance. He was a top grade swimmer and represented the State before. “I happened to constantly read about the exciting prospects in shooting.

I was drawn to the sport, particularly with the exploits of Gagan Narang, who was announcing his arrival in a big way,” points out the youngster, who draws inspiration from the 2012 Olympic bronze winner. The 35th National Games held at Thiruvananthapuram in February this year saw him eclipse a longstanding record in the 50M Rifle Prone (ISSF) Men.

“It was a momentous occasion for me as I could erase the negative mindset of my critics,” says Quadri. It was a record that was waiting to happen, state his coaches and seniors at the Telangana Shooting Ranges, where he practices every day. Technically speaking, he may have taken to the sport a bit late, but he showed a natural flair soon after he was introduced to it.

Between 2007 and 2009 he represented the State before making the national cut in the next year. His rise has been steady, much to the delight of his mentors, who see a bright future provided he consolidates his winning tempo and improvises on the form. “I cherish the medals won in the 300 M Rifle Prone Men (ISSF) Civilian Championship Team during the 58th National Shooting Championship Competitions (Big Bore) at Mhow in January this year.

This was certainly a vastly improved performance compared to my showing in the 58th National Shooting Championship Competitions (Rifle) at Pune late last year and in the 57th edition in Kadarpur,” he points out, apparently happy that his performances have been peaking with each outing.

In the ruthlessly competitive sport, he presently occupies the No 18 position in the national rankings. Quadri, who aspires to win medals in the Olympics, has an impressive haul of medals, including gold, even in the initial years when he represented the State in the National Shooting Championships.

The 24-year-old points out that his international showing has been comforting to him, personally. “The Singapore Open Shooting Championship-2011 was quite a revelation because I could achieve something significant braving the odds and the competition. I won two bronze medals, including in the 50M prone position (small bore pre-rifle), which I learnt subsequently was a rare showing by an Andhra Pradesh shooter.”

Taher Quadri, who is equally good in his academics, hopes to clear Civil Services and be a bureaucrat even as his quest for guns and glory remains paramount.

By:Sridhar K Penna