Vadodara: Demonstrating grit and resilience, a 54-year-old shooter from Vadodara has made a mark on the national stage, winning a gold medal at the 24th Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial Shooting Championship held in New Delhi.Richa Bhatnagar clinched the top spot in the 25-metre sports pistol (master women) category and was the only participant from Gujarat to win gold at the tournament.Her journey, however, has been far from easy. In 2023, just a day before a crucial event at a national championship, she lost her father. Despite the personal tragedy, she returned to compete after performing his last rites and went on to win accolades, marking a turning point in her shooting career.An entrepreneur by profession, Bhatnagar took up shooting as a hobby at the age of 50. Over time, she developed a passion for the sport and has since won over 23 medals at national and state-level competitions.“Winning a gold medal is always special. Shooting keeps you focused and calm. It has brought a lot of positivity into my life,” she said.Encouraging others to pursue their interests, she added, “It’s never too late to follow your passion. I picked up shooting at 50 and have gone on to achieve so much.”
