Haryana shooting champions lend voice to protesting wrestlers

GURGAON: Three Haryana shooters, who brought home medals from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle and Pistol 2023 held in Azerbaijan's Baku, have expressed support for the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar against the Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Singh.
Speaking to TOI, Chandigarh's Sarabjot Singh, who won India's first and only gold medal at the championship - in the 10m air pistol mixed team competition with Divya Subbaraju Thadigol - said he had injured his shoulder before the championship and is undergoing treatment right now.
"Had this not been the case, I would have reached the protest site in support of my sisters protesting for a just cause. I injured my shoulders even before the championship began, but I could not afford to miss this, and I am glad that I have won a gold for my nation despite all my struggles."
Nancy Mandhotra, who won silver in the women's 10m air rifle event - her first individual senior World Cup medal - said: "I was busy training for my championship so I could not get enough time to find out the details of what happened. We are mandated not to use social media during our training. But with whatever I have heard, I know that no sportsperson would miss out on training or championships without reason." She added, "I read on Wednesday that he has submitted his resignation, which I think is at least one step towards the ultimate goal of the protest," she added.
Rhythm Sangwan, who broke a 29-year-old world record and won her first individual bronze in the women's 10m air pistol category, said she is still undergoing training for her upcoming matches.
"Since we are not allowed to use mobile phones at all other than calling up our families, we didn't get to check on what was happening. Our coaches kept us away from all the distractions. But there should be a resolution soon."
Indian rifle and pistol shooters finished the ISSF World Cup 2023 with four medals. In the overall tally,
India ranked second behind China with one gold, two silvers and one bronze.