The day India got introduced to Palak's shots on the clock

The 17-year-old Palak started the sport in 2019, then left it and only took to it up again in 2021. Now, she is an Asiad winner 

- Avishek Roy

When the rest of finalists in the women's 10m air pistol had fired their single shots and were holding their pistols down in a resting pose, one shooter stood out at the shooting range in Hangzhou.

Palak Gulia was still taking aim, cancelling her shots and pulling her trigger only when she was perfectly aligned with the target. You only have 50 seconds to fire each of those nervewracking 14 single shots and the slightest of miscalculation would mean a blank against the shooter's name.

But the 17-year-old from India was going about her business with the nonchalance of a seasoned pro, relying on a clock ticking in her head as she fired to an individual gold medal with a Games record (242.1pts).

"It feels unreal. When I landed in Hangzhou, I expected to win a medal but I didn't think it would be gold. I took up the sport seriously only post Covid and the progress has been really good. I hope to continue the momentum and win a quota for the Paris Games next," Palak, who unwinds by sketching portraits, said.