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Indian shooters continued to make hay at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 as Tejaswini Sawant became the latest medalist. Sawant won the silver medal in the Women's 50m Rifle Prone and the gold medal in the Women's 50m 3 Rifle Positions event, taking India's medal tally at the Games to 32.
We take a look at the career of the 37-year-old.
#1 Hails from Kolhapur district in Maharashtra
Tejaswini was born in the city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra and her father Ravindra Sawant was an officer in the Indian Navy. She is the oldest child in the family and has two younger sisters. She started training under Jaisingh Kusale, a coach from Kolhapur before switching to Kuheli Gangulee.
#2 First International medal in shooting
Sawant was chosen to represent India at the 9th South Asian Sports Federation Games to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2004. She helped India win the gold medal at the event, winning her first medal in the sport at the age of 24.
#3 Lost her father during Commonwealth Championships in 2010
Tejaswini's father had a huge influence on her career and it was his dream for her to become a world champion. She suffered a huge setback during the Commonwealth Championships in February 2010 when her father passed away. Her father donated his body to medical science and his body was preserved for a week.
#4 First Indian woman to win gold at World Championships
Sawant won a bronze medal in the 50m rifle three-positions at the 2009 ISSF World Cup that was held in Munich. The next year at the Munich World Championships, she fulfilled her father's dream and became the World Champion in 50m Rifle Prone with a world-record equalling score of 597. This victory made her the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the World Championship.
#5 Received Arjuna Award from Indian Government in 2010
Tejaswini was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award by the Govt. of India in 2010 for her exploits in the sport. She had competed twice in the Commonwealth Games and won two golds in 2006, and a pair of bronze and silver medals in 2010. In addition to this, the World Championship win made her a prime contender for the Award.
