Ayushi Podder Biography

If shooters pull out the rifle and aim it at a target, the only thing that matters is their goal. The rest of the world fades away. The thought of winning a lot of money in their heads, their instincts will trigger. The question of whether their time of waking early, working more hours to training and giving up your favorite food were worth it is determined right now. It is at this point that 19-year-old Ayushi Podder is training for!

Each time Ayushi is shooting, her aim is greater than the "Bullseye" shot. Ayushi aims to get the Podium Finish! Each time she puts her finger on the trigger, she fires the bullet toward her goal of winning an Olympic medal that hangs on her neck, and the tricolored flag fluttering over her.

Aayushi is an aspiring junior rifle shooter and the most recent young sensation to shoot from India to make waves in the field, following Manu Bhaker and Gayathri Nthyanadam, Mehuli Ghosh and others. Born on the 23rd day of October in 1999, Aayushi comes from Sheoraphuli, Hooghly of West Bengal.

Aayushi's love and passion for shooting stem through her father Pankaj Podder, who himself was an ex- Indian shooter as well as an International Shooting Sport Federation ( ISSF) licensed and qualified coach.

Schooling Days And Sacrificed Dreams

Aayushi was completely dedicated to her the study of her years during her time at Techno Indian Public School. Unexpectedly, even though she was exposed to sports at an early age, she showed very little or zero desire to shoot.

As a child, Aayushi was seven years old, she was able to create a portfolio with the intention of becoming an actor or model. Aayushi also attended dance classes with a Classical Odisha style and participated in school-related events.

In this time of her life, Pankaj used to travel across states to play in matches. Aayushi did not think that she would one day follow in his steps. As a scholar who excelled in school, Aayushi wished to study MBBS as she grew older.

Start of Shooting Career

Things changed shortly after her father asked her to try shooting. Pankaj confessed to his dream of watching his daughter follow in his steps. "When the daughter I had was only five and a half, I was thinking I could make her an shooter Olympic gold medallist," he says.

She began training for the sake of her father. Within seven days of acquiring an air gun, Ayushi had already been crowned a champion in the state!

"It it was the first time I competed in a event which was also my first time being a winner!" she says, with excitement evident in her voice. Her first big win inspired Junior Podder to take up shooting.

And with her father's steady support that was a guarantee, she could not look back. As the years passed, Aayushi immersed herself into shooting and discovered an exciting new sport to be a bleeder for. As she demonstrated her determination and enthusiasm to shoot, the teachers and the principal began to show their support as she began her next adventure.

However, to be successful in the shooting discipline the ball, a player must have concentration to the max. For Ayushi the concentration and focus were achieved effortlessly. This is why she was able to get high marks. "I'm proficient in academics. Concentration and focus are crucial and these two qualities assisted me shooting quite a bit."

Ayushi has also realized the value of perfection both in her sport and in her everyday life. In the beginning of her practicing, she's father advised her "Ayushi cannot shoot without the perfect sight image". These words have been very helpful to her on the international stage. They've been incorporated into her brain. "Perfection is important," she tells.

After winning the state championship, Ayushi won the pre-national championship for juniors in the youth category the next month. Within an entire time, Aayushi was able to secure her place at the Indian team camp. Soon after, she was selected for the Asian air gun team, and within a year, she won her first gold medal in international competition at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2016, Suhl, Germany.

The challenges faced by Indian athletes

The life of an athlete India isn't as simple. It's true that Ayushi is no exception. The young shooter has plenty of unremarkable stories to share from her trips to various locations to compete in tournaments. One of them happened on returning from Asian Junior Championship in Doha, Qatar.

Ayushi along with her group arrived at 5 am on the outskirts of New Delhi from a long and exhausting journey. This is when she learns that she will be competing in the 11 AM slot for competing in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event at the All India Inter-University Championship. With a lack of sleep and hunger the young shooter took part in the competition and was able to take home the bronze medal.

When she talked about the event, Ayushi opened up about the incident without regret. She is not blaming her lack of food or sleep for her loss. She also does not blame lack of planning and organisation by the organizers.

The moment is now, Aayushi laughs it off. This is another item on a long list of organizational and structural problems that athletes have faced and are confronting in the sport's ecosystem in India.

At the time of the World Championship in Changwon, Korea, Ayushi had to endure a gap of eight days between her arrival until match day. She was unable to train during these eight days due to the scheduling of other games. Furthermore, Ayushi's gun was outdated. It was a terrible experience in the contest.

And to make matters even more difficult Ayushi's father, as well as her coach were unable to join her on a trip due to financial problems. Another issue that athletes face in India in the present. They are faced with financial pressures to purchase equipment, travel for training, to eat nutritious food and many more.

The balance between shooting and education

Despite having to balance academics with shooting lessons and globe-trotting to attend events, her grade at school did not drop. After graduation from high school she decided to pursue the field of Humanities and was able to take time to devote her time to studying and shooting.

At present, Ayushi Podder is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Public Administration at Punjab University at the same at the same time as she trains and participates in competitions. But, Ayushi believes that it wouldn't have been possible without the support of her school and the management.

Ayushi is not able to use an attendance bar because of her participation in the Sports quota. She can exercise all year long and is only required to sit for tests. In some cases, when competitions or selections conflict with her examinations and the college schedules specific dates to allow her to take the test.

A one-day in the life Ayushi Podder

As her father did, Ayushi travels a lot. All through all of the time, Ayushi is a participant in at least ten national competitions. There are also trials for selection and two at least three International competitions the course of a year. In addition to her travels for different events, she frequently goes to Delhi to practice in Dr Karni Shooting range. Dr Karni Shooting range, because it's the only shooting range in which she is able to train in the 50m categories.

Ayushi is also required to travel to Chandigarh to go to university frequently. Between her travels for training, competitions , and college her schedule is so busy that she's unable to stay in her home.

A typical day for the youthful shooter in West Bengal begins at 5.30 am. She gets up, wakes up, and enjoys a gentle warming-up. In 7.30 morning, Aayushi is on the breakfast table. After breakfast, she departs to train.

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Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Ayushi Podder Biography

Schooling Days And Sacrificed Dreams

Start of Shooting Career

The challenges faced by Indian athletes

The balance between shooting and education

A one-day in the life Ayushi Podder

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