Shooter Babuta takes aim at new discipline

Paris Olympian Arjun Babuta is currently in trial-and-error mode. He's experimenting with his shooting — both equipment and mindset wise — and exploring interests beyond it.

- Rutvick Mehta

MUMBAI:

As part of that, the 10m air rifle shooter who finished fourth at last year's Olympics will divide his attention to a new event.

And thus, a week after returning home from the ISSF World Cup Lima with a 10m air rifle silver medal, Babuta resumed training for 50m rifle three positions to give a shot in it at the next trials. He's occasionally dabbled in the longer, more strenuous event before, but now wants to "treat it equally" with his primary event.

"I want to give equal importance to 50m as my 10m event," Babuta said. "I'm very close to the top eight every time, but there's still improvement to be done in it. Because it's a new event for me, it will take some time. I also have to get physically fitter for it.

"Right now, because I'm prioritizing the 10m, I have to sacrifice on training for 50m. I'll change that this year. I want to explore that side of myself as well."

Babuta is on an exploration path outside of the shooting ranges as well. He's gone back to practicing the tabla, is taking online lessons on photography and listening to a wide range of podcasts, among other things. All of this, he believes, is helping him "learn a lot about myself and also other people's perspective".