8 october 2024 : Divyansh Panwar, who made a name for himself in India’s senior rifle team five years ago with his distinctive long hair and an exaggerated shooting stance, quickly rose to the top of world rankings and became a medal hopeful for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, his journey since then has been challenging. International successes have been scarce, competition at the domestic level has intensified, and Panwar has been working on refining his technique. His previously arched shooting stance has been adjusted to a straighter position to reduce strain on his back.
A lingering disappointment from missing out on the Paris Olympics, where he was edged out in the final trials by Sandeep Singh and Arjun Babuta, still affects him. But Panwar is now gearing up for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic cycle, starting with the World Cup Finals in New Delhi. He sees this as an opportunity to regain his form and confidence. The World Cup Finals in 2019 were where he secured his first major international success, winning both individual and mixed team events in Putian, China, and he hopes that this event will mark the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
“Doing well at the World Cup Finals will be a huge boost to my confidence. It’s been a while since I stood on the podium. I want to start the new Olympic cycle on a strong note,” says Panwar.
Panwar adds that he quickly overcame the disappointment of not making the Paris team, saying it only took him a day. “I don’t blame destiny for poor results. I gave my best, but it wasn’t enough. Others shot better than me,” he explains.
Panwar followed the Paris Olympics as a fan, particularly enjoying the men’s javelin final. He also sympathized with his friend Arjun Babuta, who finished fourth in shooting. “Arjun is a dear friend, so I know how disappointed he was. If someone mentions the Paris final, he still gets upset,” Panwar says.
Both Panwar and Babuta will compete together at the World Cup Finals, although they rarely discuss shooting techniques. Instead, much of their conversation revolves around keeping a calm mindset. “Shooting is a mental sport, and that’s an area I need to strengthen,” Panwar admits. “We talk a lot about staying focused for long periods.”
Although Panwar pushed himself harder than ever in preparation for Paris, he acknowledges that mental gaps remained. “The mind tends to wander, especially right before pulling the trigger. You need to be fully present in the moment,” he says. Panwar explains that his mind often focused on the outcome rather than the process, and he uses various methods like chanting “Om,” deep breathing, or listening to music to stay grounded.
Panwar also reflects on the intense approach taken by Indian shooters. “We need to be more relaxed. If you look at Chinese or American shooters, they don’t treat sport like it’s a matter of life and death. For them, shooting is just a part of life; for us, it’s the center of our existence,” he says, noting that this mindset allows them to perform better on the global stage.
After the Olympics trials, Panwar took a three-month break from shooting, traveling to Indonesia with a friend. “The trip was 40 percent shooting and 60 percent personal,” he explains. He now plans to visit the USA to learn from top shooters there. “One day, I’d like to go on a solo trip, explore the world, and discover myself.”
For now, Panwar is focused on returning to the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, where he aims to embark on a new journey in his shooting career.
