Elizabeth makes name on different track

 Kerala’s contribution to Indian athletics is immense. There are several Olympians, Asian Games medal winners and even a World Championship bronze medallist. Names can just flow at the drop of a hat. When it comes to the field of shooting though, the list is quite thin.

Determined to make a name for herself is young shooter Elizabeth Susan Koshy. Just 21, the daughter of a plantation father and interior designer mother has made a good head start to her ambition at this South Asian Games. On Saturday, she won the 50M rifle 3-position silver after having won a medal of the same shade in the 10M air rifle three days ago. In both the events, she won the team gold as well, playing a part in India’s domination at the Kahilapara range.

Asked why she chose the range instead of track and field, Elizabeth felt it was pure destiny. “I happened to witness a shooting competition at the Thodupuzha Shooting Range in Kerala. I must have been 11 or 12 years old then. I immediately fell in love with shooting and the next week itself I joined the club for practice.

“My nature is such that if I do something, I give it my compete dedication. I was pretty serious from the start itself and I started showing encouraging results. It’s been three years since I started understanding that I can do well in shooting. I now believe I can win medals for the country in this sport. I think it’s my coaches Stanislaus Lapidus and Sunny (Thomas) sir and parents who made me realise it. Because of their support I’m able to become a good shooter.”

Having failed to claim a Rio Olympics quota berth narrowly for the country, Elizabeth hopes to make the trip to Brazil despite the odds stacked against her. With almost all the 12 quota place winners in good form and just a few months left before the National Rifle Association of India finalises the squad, Elizabeth is running out of time. She nevertheless exuded hope.

“Rio Olympics was my biggest dream. I couldn’t achieve the quota place. The team hasn’t been decided yet. There is one more trials and the team will be decided only after that. I need to consistently shoot excellent scores in hope of making it as the quota is for the country and not for the individual. I know its a pipe dream but I’m gunning for it. I just have to work very hard.”