Kedarling Uchaganve Gears Up for Asian Games with Focus and Determination

Kedarling Uchaganve's Preparation for the Asian Games

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], September 6: Indian shooter Kedarling Balakrishna Uchaganve is honing his skills and maintaining his composure as he readies himself for the upcoming Asian Games. He emphasizes that adhering to the process and concentrating on each shot will be crucial for achieving success.

As the Asian Games are set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, Indian shooters are aiming for a record-breaking performance.

In a recent conversation, Kedarling expressed confidence in his preparations, stating that the primary goal is to apply the techniques and strategies developed during training in the competition.

“Preparations are going well, and we expect to execute everything we’ve practiced—whether it’s shooting techniques or our overall strategy—correctly during the event. We just need to perform our skills, and everything else will follow,” he remarked.

Despite the significance of the Asian Games, Kedarling believes that the fundamentals of shooting remain unchanged. He relies on visualization and meditation to manage pressure effectively.

“It’s a big event, but the shooting range remains the same at 10 meters, and the match format is unchanged. We visualize ourselves competing, standing on the range, and shooting. This practice helps alleviate any pressure,” he explained.

Hailing from a small village in Karnataka, Kedarling grew up in an agricultural family. His parents still work in farming, and he was raised in a joint family setting with siblings, grandparents, and extended relatives.

Initially, sporting ambitions were not a significant part of his life. He participated in running events, including the 1500m at the district level, but never envisioned representing India on an international platform. Kedarling appreciates the support from the national shooting setup, which provides both resources and a conducive environment.

When discussing how to handle competition pressure, he stressed the importance of focusing on the present moment and taking one shot at a time.

“Focus on the current shot. Don’t dwell on a previous bad shot, as that can ruin your entire match. Stay calm and prepare for the next shot based on your training,” he advised.

Reflecting on his journey from joining the Indian Army to becoming an international shooter, Kedarling noted that representing India in shooting was not part of his initial plans.

“I hadn’t considered it. My primary goal in 2018 was to join the Army and serve the country, especially given our financial situation at home. I joined as a soldier,” he shared.

He revealed that his introduction to shooting occurred through the Army, where he received guidance from coaches and continued to improve.

“That’s when I was introduced to shooting. I kept performing well, received excellent support, and had great coaches. My journey has progressed from there,” Kedarling concluded.