New Delhi: When Anish Bhanwala performed poorly at the shooting World Championships and Asian Games in 2023, it marked his lowest point. It was shocking to see his scores fall to 575 and 560, respectively, in the qualification of these two significant events, as he has usually been in excellent shape in domestic competitions and trials, regularly scoring at an aggregate of 585.
Anish was willing to take whatever necessary severe measures to turn his life around in order to get back on track. Harpreet Singh, a former shooter, was hired as his full-time coach. This year, he has benefited greatly from improved preparation, a stronger mindset, and greater emphasis on recuperation.

After debuting as a gifted 15-year-old prospect in 2017 with a silver medal at the junior world championships in Suhl, the 23-year-old just finished his most successful international season. His first major victory of the season was a silver at the Asian Championships in August, but he also won silver at the World Championships in Cairo last month and the ISSF World Cup Final this month.
"I felt more confident after winning the medal at the Asian Championships. With 35 hits, I was really strong in that final. After that, I worked out nonstop with my instructor, Harpreet Sir, for 1.5 months. I went to the Worlds with my greatest preparation because of the intense training.

In training, I was aiming for high scores. Thus, I genuinely thought I had a shot this time," Anish told HT.

"I believe I recover rather nicely. Since 2017, I have been a regular member of the Indian team and have never missed an international game. In 2023, I was also performing well in domestic trials, but I struggled in consecutive competitions at the Asian Games and World Championships. I began training at my lowest point. Anish, who placed 13th in Paris, stated, "But I did qualify for the Paris Olympics, where I shot well and was close to qualifying for the final."
Anish established goals at the beginning of this year, and the boost from Paris was a turnaround.

"I will use the World Cups as a testing ground and have these two as my primary competitions." As a result, I continued to take rests and did not overwork myself. Trials 3 and 4 of the domestic competition went well. I entered a decent maintenance phase while pushing myself a little. That's how I've handled this season and achieved the outcomes.
"I promised myself that I would take a new tack in the Cairo final. All I wanted was to make it to the ISSF World Cup Final, which made me feel better.
Anish returned with another podium (silver) in the season-ending finale in Doha, completing a full set of medals this year.

As the first Indian rapid fire pistol shooter to win a medal at a global championship, Anish has, in many respects, smashed the glass barrier in his field. Army marksman Vijay Kumar won silver in London 2012, earning India an Olympic medal. Anish, Vijayveer Sindhu, and Adarsh Singh have shot exceptionally well over the past few seasons, and they now appear to have the expertise to win large in important events.
During tournaments, Anish and Vijayveer collaborate, which has improved both of them.

We were very competitive at first, which makes sense given that we are fighting for spots on the national squad. However, we eventually came to the realisation that we are not at odds with one another. We are easily making it to the Indian squad, and we must support one another if we want to be the greatest in the world.
Thus, the formula was altered. I watch and comment on his matches while we play in open competitions abroad, and he reciprocates. We talk about our matches after the competition. As competing athletes, we are better able to explain the circumstances and identify issues.

They appear to be shooting repeatedly. The synchronisation and stability are excellent. It's a wonderful feeling. They've been reliable for a very long time. Medals will follow if I can become a shooter that people will remark, "Mazaa aa gaya, kya chalata hai (what a shooter. He is so good to watch)." I still have a lot of work to do.