Even as the London Olympics 2012 are about to begin, Ankita Sehgal (17), a class XI student of Delhi’s Ahlcon International School, is preparing for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics 2016. In January this year, she qualified for inclusion in the national squad for the 10-metre rifle shooting event. “Henceforth, in all international championships in which India participates, I will be called in my capacity as a top-ranked sharpshooter,” she says.

Ankita attributes her rise to national status to her first coach Sapna, a former state-level markswoman. “My first coach was amazing and she taught me the basics so well that whatever I have achieved or will achieve, I owe to her,” she recalls. Entering competitive shooting in 2009 when she was in class IX, Ankita participated in local tournaments with excellent results, securing a gold medal in the Delhi state championships in 2010 followed by a silver in the open Delhi state inter-school shooting championship.

She also qualified for the Manav Rachna open shooting championship and represented Delhi in the National Shooting championships from 2009-2011. Last year, she made the cut in two Asian Games qualification trials and the nationals in October 2011 before being invited to join the national squad early this year.

The only child of her parents — Surjeet Kumar, director of Sehgal Glowvision Pvt. Ltd, and homemaker mother Sujata — Ankita credits them for encouraging her in her chosen sport. “It was easy for me as my parents backed me at every turn and bought equipment worth Rs.2 lakh for me,” she says.

According to Ankita, her success in competitive shooting has improved her academic grades. “I was an average student, lazy and often left things to the last minute. But now I am more focused, regular with my studies and with improved concentration levels, I fared better than expected in my class X boards,” she says. Her routine comprises training and target practice for at least an hour daily and three-four hours on weekends.

Professionally, Ankita’s affinity lies with medical studies and she hopes to qualify as a cardiac surgeon. “I have been able to strike a balance between academics and sport, so I think even if I become a champion, I will make sure I complete my education,” she says. Preparation for the Asian Games 2014 and Olympics 2016 is right now her top priority.

Autar Nehru (Delhi)