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Rakesh gunning for glory days

After a bronze in the Super Cup, the City lad is determined to bring more laurels
Last Updated 13 May 2009, 18:37 IST

This Bangalore lad showcased his talent during the first week of May at the shooting range of Suhl, Germany, to bag his maiden international medal -- a bronze in the Super Cup event of the International Junior Competition.
“Super Cup is an exciting event. Shooters can either use rifle or pistol in the knock-out format. I know I haven’t reached anywhere. But I am really excited to win third place in Suhl. It is my maiden medal in an international meet. So it gives me lot of confidence,” Rakesh says.
Rakesh defeated compatriot Shivangi Jhalani for a semifinal berth but lost to eventual winner Adriana David of Romania in the last four tie.
Rakesh, however, prevailed over Shriyanka Sadangi in the bronze medal play-off.
“It was a close battle in the semis. I was not fully satisfied with bronze but it feels nice to end up in the medal bracket,” he said.
The 18-year-old finished tenth in the 10M Air Rifle in the same tournament and Rakesh believes though he couldn’t win a medal the experience he gained will stand him in good stead. “I don’t mind the tenth place finish in the Air Rifle event. The experience I gained from competing with the top shooters in the world is more important to me. I have a lot of years left and I believe I can improve with every meet,” Rakesh, who trains at the Sports Authority of India, South Centre shooting range, said.
Rakesh had made a good start to his career winning the silver in the 50M Rifle 3 Position at the G V Mavlankar All India shooting competition three years ago in Bengal.
His other major achievements include silver at the National junior championship in 2008 and five gold medals at the State junior meet in 2006.
“The State shooting team comprising me, my brother and Purushotham took bronze in the national meet last year. To compete alongwith my brother who is my mentor and to win a medal was something special to me,” said Rakesh.
His talent was spotted by his brother Rajesh Manpat, a national level shooter during his younger days. “I owes much to my brother. WIthout him I couldn’t have become a shooter. He was my coach when I took up shooting and even now he helps me a lot.”
“I like rifles and shooting more than anything else. So my aim is to become a well known shooter. Not only in India but around the world,” Rakesh, the first year BBA student of PS College, added.
Rakesh said former Indian coach Hungarian Laszlo Szucsak played a huge role in fine tuning his skills.
“Laszlo used to give me lot of tips. Even now I mail him about my doubts and he was always willing to help me. I got some vital points when the senior Indian team members were here at the SAI for the national camp. All these played a huge role in developing my shooting skills,” revealed Rakesh.
With a successful debut at the international level, Rakesh will now be looking for another fine performance in the Meeting of Shooting Hops in Plzen, Czech Republic, from
June 3 to 8.

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(Published 13 May 2009, 18:37 IST)

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