Guwahati/IBNS: Hriday Hazarika, a talented rifle shooter from the remote village of Dhalpur in Upper Assam, has overcome numerous challenges to win a silver medal in the men's 10m Air Rifle event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Shooting World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.

This victory marks his first major medal in five years and establishes him as a strong contender to represent India at the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, reported EastMojo.

The competition at the World Cup was fierce, featuring renowned shooters such as Chinese legend Yang Haoran and Hungarian ace Istvan Peni. 

However, Hriday demonstrated his skill by surpassing his opponents and securing a spot in the top two. Ultimately, he faced off against Hungary's Zalan Pekler, who claimed the gold with a score of 252.4, just edging out Hriday's score of 251.9.

In an interview with EastMojo, Hriday discussed the difficulties he faced during the pandemic, including a leg injury, Covid-19, and Dengue fever, which hindered his comeback in 2021-22 and kept him out of national consideration. 

However, with the support of his personal coach Nishanta Bordoloi and his father's makeshift shooting range, Hriday was able to continue his training and make a successful recovery.

Hriday's journey in shooting began at the age of three when he was introduced to wooden pistols carved by National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets. His fascination with rifles grew as he observed local policemen carrying them near his home. 

His parents recognized his talent and enrolled him in a shooting academy, where he initially started with pistol shooting before transitioning to rifle shooting.

Now 19 years old, Hriday has established himself in the junior circuit and aims to secure a spot in the Asian Games squad. He acknowledges the tough competition, particularly from Rudrankksh Patil, who won a World Championship title and an Olympic quota for India. 

Despite the rivalry, Hriday and Rudrankksh maintain a friendly relationship and share experiences as roommates during tournaments.

Looking ahead, Hriday understands the intense competition for Olympic quotas and the importance of being in peak form.

The new qualification process allows each country to win only one quota place per event in a championship, making the competition even more challenging. Hriday is focused on his goal of representing India at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

For now, Hriday's immediate target is to secure a place in the Asian Games squad. His impressive silver medal at the World Cup has boosted his confidence and provided him with the platform to pursue his dreams in the sport of shooting.