Manish Narwal Paralympics from India

Manish Narwal born on 2001-10-17 in , India.

Education :

Language Spoken : English, Hindi

Coach : JP Nautiyal [national]; Subhash Rana [national]

He began shooting in 2016 in Ballabhgarh, India. “I always wanted to be a footballer as I loved outdoor sport. But due to my impairment, I couldn’t play the game beyond local club level. A close friend of my father told him to think about introducing me to shooting. My father took me to the 10X Shooting Academy in Ballabhgarh, run by coach Rakesh Thakur. Had he not been there, I wouldn’t have excelled in the sport. I owe my success to him. [Shooting] can be done with only one hand, which suits me very well.” (paralympic.org, 13 Oct 2022; indianshooting.com, 29 Aug 2020; timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 06 Oct 2018; indusind.com, 01 Jan 2018)

Reason: “It took me about two years to realise that I could excel in shooting. While my friends were studying or preparing for ‘normal’ jobs, I was already deeply involved in shooting, practising for hours. Sometimes, I do miss the fun times with friends. I think what appealed to me the most was the precision and focus required.” (paralympic.org, 21 May 2024)

Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (paralympic.org, 28 Sep 2023)

Milestones: He became the first male shooter representing India to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games when he claimed the mixed SH1 50m pistol title at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 24 Jun 2022)

Training: He begins a typical day by waking at 07:00. “After that, it’s time for a workout, a quick shower, and breakfast. Then I head off to the shooting range to practise. My typical day involves some mental training and stretching before I start shooting, then some ‘dry’ practice shots. In the evening, I usually do another workout session. I train for four or five hours a day, including visualisation techniques, and some yoga and meditation for focus.” (paralympic.org, 21 May 2024)

Influence: His father. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 06 Oct 2018; indusind.com, 01 Jan 2018)

Philosophy: “If there are challenges in life you must keep your head up high and go on. This attitude is something that you can learn through shooting.” (paralympic.org, 13 Oct 2022)

Award: In 2022 he received the Bhim Award. (Instagram profile, 24 Jun 2022)

In 2021 he received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. (President of India YouTube channel, 13 Nov 2021)

In 2020 he received the Arjuna Award for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games in India. (indianshooting.com, 29 Aug 2020)

General
TOKYO 2020 CONFIDENCE
He won gold in the mixed SH1 50m pistol at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo ahead of silver medallist Singhraj, also of India. “Winning gold was an incredible feeling. Competing for the gold medal against my teammate Singhraj was a proud moment for both of us. I was happy that both gold and silver went to India. I celebrated with my teammates and later with my family back in India. After Tokyo, I gained more confidence. I never felt afraid to be in front of other people because of my disability but shooting has definitely helped me become more confident and proud – and I do get recognised on the streets sometimes. It feels great to receive such attention.” (paralympic.org, 21 May 2024)

LEFT HAND GRIP
He is left handed but used a right-handed pistol when he took up the sport in 2016. He considered undergoing a procedure to his right hand but doctors advised against it as the risk was too high. Instead, his father Dilbagh encouraged him to start shooting with his left hand. “I wasn’t really giving any time to it, I was focusing on other sports. So, one day, coach set up a small competition and I bagged second position. I thought if I can do this well without practice, then how good will I perform after practising seriously. The only problem I had after that was the left hand grip. I used to practise with a right-handed pistol. Being a left-handed person, it was a really difficult task for me.” (Sameer Solanki YouTube channel, 27 Mar 2022; hindustantimes.com, 04 Sep 2021; indianshooting.com, 29 Aug 2020)

Rank	Event	Year	Location	Result
Paralympic Games
1	P4 – 50m Pistol SH1	2020	Tokyo, JPN	218.2
7	P1 – 10m Air Pistol SH1	2020	Tokyo, JPN	135.8
World Championships
1	P1 – 10m Air Pistol SH1	2023	Lima, PER	239.7
3	Mixed P6 – 10m Air Pistol SH1 – Team	2023	Lima, PER	16
3	P1 – 10m Air Pistol SH1	2019	Sydney, NSW, AUS	215.3
3	P4 – 50m Pistol SH1	2019	Sydney, NSW, AUS	201.7
4	Mixed P6 – 10m Air Pistol SH1 – Team	2022	Al Ain, UAE	12
6	P1 – 10m Air Pistol SH1	2022	Al Ain, UAE	152.2
8	Mixed P6 – 10m Air Pistol SH1 – Team	2019	Sydney, NSW, AUS	738
10	P1 – 10m Air Pistol SH1	2018	Cheongju, KOR	564
11	P4 – 50m Pistol SH1	2022	Al Ain, UAE	527
12	P4 – 50m Pistol SH1	2018	Cheongju, KOR	532
Asian Para Games
3	P1 – 10m Air Pistol SH1	2022	Hangzhou, CHN	217.3