Rhythm Sangwan Embraces Home Pressure Ahead of Asian Shooting Championship
For Rhythm Sangwan, honesty comes naturally. The 22-year-old shooter from Meerut makes no attempt to downplay the pressure of competing on home soil, nor does she resort to rehearsed bravado. With an impressive resume that many would envy, Sangwan is now setting her sights on a significant milestone: an Asian Championship gold medal.
The Dual Nature of Competing at Home
During a virtual interaction on Thursday, following her first day in the training camp for the Asian Rifle and Pistol Shooting Championship (scheduled to begin on February 2 in New Delhi), Sangwan candidly addressed the challenges and opportunities of competing in Delhi.
"I would say that especially it's happening in Delhi in our home ground, it has both its plus points and minus points," she told reporters. "You have those expectations from your people that the Indian athletes are going to do well, and I believe that is going to be a challenge."
Despite her youth, Sangwan has already achieved remarkable success on the international stage. Her accomplishments include:
- ISSF Junior World Cup titles
- Senior World Championship medals
- A world record in the 25m Pistol Women's Qualification
Yet, one line on her CV remains conspicuously incomplete: an Asian Championship gold medal.
The Elusive Gold and a Process-Focused Mindset
Sangwan has come tantalizingly close to that coveted gold. In her second Asian Championship appearance in 2024, she secured two bronze medals and a silver. Now, with the continental meet arriving in Delhi, the prospect of finally claiming gold feels within reach.
However, the young shooter is careful not to let past near-misses weigh her down. "I don't think that we take that load on our heads because if we think about the history, then we won't be able to complete and focus on what's ahead of us," she explained. "We just focus on our process, and I think that's about it."
The word "process" features prominently in Sangwan's vocabulary. Even as the new year begins, her tone reflects a deliberate detachment from medal forecasts and external expectations.
Reflection, Learning, and Technical Preparation
Looking back at the previous year, Sangwan frames 2025 as a period of learning rather than a relentless pursuit of results. "I would say that I learned a lot of things," she noted. "I made some changes because I had a break from my international events. I also competed in the ISSF World Cup China. I really enjoyed that match, and that venue has also become a new favourite."
For an athlete who has experienced global success at such a young age, managing expectations could easily become overwhelming. Sangwan's approach is methodical and grounded. "My approach is to take it one step at a time," she admitted. "Currently, I'm just focusing on the Asian championship, and we'll just see it as we move forward."
When asked about specific goals for the tournament, her response remained consistent with her philosophy. "I just want to focus on my process. I think that is the only goal, because for every athlete, they have some other goal, but I believe that if we stick to it, we can achieve the results. As they say, focus on the process and the results will follow."
Technically, her preparation has involved fine-tuning rather than major overhauls. "Nothing major (has changed) as of now, but we do a bit of additions here and there," she revealed. "So that goes on constantly across the year as per the performance and as per the feedback from my coach."
A Target, Not a Burden
If Sangwan's words are any indication, the missing Asian gold does not appear as a burden. Instead, it seems like just another target downrange, patiently awaiting its turn. Her calm, process-oriented mindset, combined with her proven track record, positions her as a formidable contender as she prepares to compete on home turf.
The Asian Rifle and Pistol Shooting Championship promises to be a significant event for Indian shooting, with athletes like Rhythm Sangwan leading the charge. Her journey underscores the importance of mental fortitude and disciplined preparation in the high-stakes world of competitive sports.
