Class topper, wooden gun, Nano rides: How Shapath found his way in Asian Games
Shapath Bharadwaj, a former academic topper, chose to pursue shooting at age nine, inspired by his elder brother, despite his journalist father's initial expectations. His father supported his dream by commissioning a wooden dummy gun, leading Shapath to represent India in trap shooting at the Asian Games.
Why it matters
This human interest story showcases the journey of an athlete pursuing a passion against conventional expectations, highlighting the importance of parental support and dedication in achieving sporting dreams on an international stage.
NEW DELHI: If not a shooter, Shapath Bharadwaj could have been seen dealing with deadlines, just like his journalist father, S Raju. In a house where books and newspapers were always around, there were expectations that Raju's son would follow the same path.Shapath did well in studies too. He was a class topper from childhood and a favourite among his teachers. But somewhere in his mind, he had already chosen a different path - shooting.Shapath fell in love with shooting at an early age - nine - after watching his elder brother train. His father initially thought his younger son, who was so good at academics, simply wanted to try the sport out of curiosity.
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