Shapath Bharadwaj’s relentless pursuit of precision paid off when he earned a berth for the Asian Games after a string of gold medals in trap shooting.
4 golds, a silver, and 3 bronzes line up his résumé: Porpetto 2016 double‑trap golds, Orimattila 2017 team gold, Moscow 2017 team gold, and Changwon 2018 team gold. The silver at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championship and the 2026 World Cup silver add depth to his record.
The turning point came in Almaty, where a call from his coach turned a routine World Cup outing into a career‑shaping moment: “I was playing in the World Cup in Almaty when my coach called me and told me I’d made the Asian Games team.” His reaction was a mix of disbelief and excitement.
The journey from a wooden dummy gun in Meerut to the world stage was paved by relentless discipline. A Nano’s three‑hour ride to Tughlakabad became a classroom, a training ground, and a test of focus.
India’s shooting squad now has a seasoned trap specialist who can anchor the team event. His presence boosts the country’s medal prospects and offers a morale lift for younger shooters.
The next stop is the Asian Games in Hangzhou, where Shapath will face Asia’s best. The pressure is on, but the opportunity is clear.