{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "From Cycling 14 km for Practice to Earning an Asian Games Ticket: The Incredible Story of Jaipur Shooter Akash Bhardwaj",
  "summary": "Jaipur's 25-year-old shooter Akash Bhardwaj has been selected to represent India in the men's 10m air pistol event at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.",
  "content": "In an inspiring triumph of grit over adversity, 25-year-old shooter Akash Bhardwaj from Jaipur, Rajasthan, has earned his place in the Indian contingent for the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He will be competing in the men's 10m air pistol discipline. Remarkably, Bhardwaj did not even hold a target pistol until the age of 21, achieving this international milestone through just four years of disciplined practice. His selection was confirmed by the National Rifle Association of India following his stellar performance and aggregate ranking points across the national selection trials.\n\nFinancial Hardships and Unwavering Family Support Behind the Dream\nThe path to the Asian Games was paved with substantial financial hurdles for the young marksman. His father works as a commercial driver, supporting the household on a modest monthly income ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000. Despite these tight financial constraints, his father recognized Bhardwaj's passion for sports and purchased his first competitive pistol using a credit card. Meanwhile, his elder brother, Shubham Bhardwaj, allocated a portion of his own earnings to pay for his training academy fees. The family currently resides on Niwaru Road in Jaipur.\n\nWalking, Hitchhiking, and Cycling 14 km to Reach Training\nBhardwaj's daily schedule reflected extraordinary commitment to his craft. To reach the Marudhara Sports Shooting Academy in Jaipur, he frequently covered distances on foot or hitched rides from passing commuters. On numerous days, he pedaled a bicycle for 14 kilometers just to attend his practice sessions. Undeterred by limited resources, he dedicated six to seven hours every single day to perfecting his stance, hold, and trigger control on the shooting line.\n\nSelf-Taught Precision: 6 to 7 Hours of Daily Self-Analysis Without a Personal Coach\nWhen Bhardwaj joined the academy in 2021 after coming across a promotional advertisement on a Monday, he lacked access to a personal coach. Instead of being discouraged, he took charge of his own athletic development. He designed his own physical conditioning modules and dry-fire drills. During his daily six to seven hours of training, he methodically recorded every technical flaw in a journal and worked through corrective routines independently, building deep self-reliance in his competition mindset.\n\nTransitioning from National Rugby Success to Individual Marksmanship\nBefore stepping into the shooting range, Bhardwaj competed actively in athletics and rugby. He even secured a national bronze medal in rugby. However, concerns over physical injury risks inherent in contact sports prompted him to transition into an individual discipline. At 21, he retired from rugby to take up 10m air pistol shooting, swiftly rising through the ranks over the next four years.\n\nProven Track Record from Domestic Trials to ISSF World Cup in Peru\nRepresenting Marudhara Sports Shooting Academy, Bhardwaj steadily accumulated accolades across inter-college meets, World University Championship selections, and the Khelo India Games. His consistent scores at state and national events paved the way to the national selection trials. On the international stage, he delivered a impressive performance at the ISSF World Cup in Lima, Peru, finishing in the overall top 8 and ranking first among all participating Indian shooters. He is now focused on bringing home glory for India at the Asian Games.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe selection of Jaipur shooter Akash Bhardwaj for the Asian Games serves as a major source of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the nation.\n\n• Across India: This success demonstrates that dedicated talent can break through to international levels despite severe financial constraints. It proves that starting a sport later in youth is no barrier to national selection.\n• In Jaipur (Rajasthan): Local sports academies and young individuals will find fresh encouragement to pursue precision sports like shooting. Families facing tight budgets gain inspiration to support their children's athletic pursuits.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which sport and event will Akash Bhardwaj represent India in at the Asian Games?\nAkash Bhardwaj will represent India in shooting, specifically in the men's 10m air pistol event.\n\n2. Where are the 20th Asian Games being held?\nThe 20th Asian Games are taking place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.\n\n3. At what age did Akash Bhardwaj start shooting?\nHe started shooting at the age of 21 in the year 2021.\n\n4. What is Akash's father's occupation, and how did he buy his pistol?\nHis father is a commercial driver earning Rs 10,000 to 15,000 monthly, and he purchased Akash's first pistol using a credit card.\n\n5. Which sports did Akash play before switching to shooting?\nBefore shooting, he competed in athletics and rugby, winning a national bronze medal in rugby.\n\n6. What is Akash's best international result prior to the Asian Games selection?\nHe finished in the top 8 overall and ranked first among Indian shooters at the ISSF World Cup in Lima, Peru.\n\nInspiration & Lessons\nAkash Bhardwaj's journey offers valuable life lessons for anyone striving to achieve goals against heavy odds.\n\n• Overcoming Resource Constraints: Cycling 14 km or hitchhiking to reach practice shows that determination easily overrides a lack of luxury or transport.\n• Self-Directed Mastery: Logging mistakes in a journal and designing personal dry-fire drills without a dedicated coach highlights the power of self-reliance.\n• Unconditional Family Support: A driver father buying a pistol on credit and a brother financing fees demonstrate how familial trust creates champions.\n• Courage to Pivot: Leaving rugby at 21 to take up target shooting proves it is never too late to pick up a new discipline and excel.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/14-kilomitara-saikila-chalakara-treninga-karane-vale-akash-bhardwaj-ka-asian-games-ke-lie-bharatiya-tima-men-chayana-27055",
  "category": "Rajasthan",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-03",
  "tags": [
    "Akash Bhardwaj",
    "Asian Games",
    "Jaipur News",
    "Shooting",
    "10m Air Pistol",
    "Rajasthan Sports",
    "NRAI"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}