Four shooters including two girls training in Vadodara have been selected to represent Gujarat in the upcoming 36th National Games which are going to be held for the first time in the state. Vimal Prajapati, Mitesh Gohil, Ditee Thakar, and Yeshaya Contractor are getting trained in Vadodara and are selected to be featured in the prestigious event. Vimal, Mitesh, and Ditee getting trained in the Sports Authority of Gujarat at run Shooting Academy running at Manjalpur Sports Complex in Vadodara and Yeshaya gets training in Savli Taluka Rifle Association at Savli.
Mitesh Gohil, 23, is from Ahmedabad and studies PG Diploma in Sports Management at Swarnim Gujarat Sports University. He started shooting six years back getting inspired by his sister Mittal Gohil, a national player who presently runs a Rifle shooting academy to train the upcoming players. He began training in Pistol Shooting and won medals in state and national championships during his career. He also won a silver medal in Asian Shooting Championship at Doha in 2019. He gave the highest performance in Khelo India University Games by achieving 4th rank. Last year, he took part in various events and performed well which helps him in moving further in his career. He will be competing in 10mtr Air Pistol in the National Games.
Vimal Prajapati, 24, is from Gandhinagar and presently studies B.PEd at Swarnim Gujarat Sports University. He trains at SAG-run Shooting Academy at Manjalpur Sports Complex. Vimal began his shooting in 2015 from Air Rifle and later shifted to a .22 Rifle in 2018. He won medals in many state and national tournaments and also went for Indian team trials for the last six years. Hailing from a business family he got attracted to the sport in his school days and now pursues his passion with great determination. He is selected in 50mtr Rifle shooting and practiced daily at Manjalpur shooting academy runs under SAG.
Ditee Thakar is selected for 10mtr Air Pistol and hails from Bhavnagar. She also practiced at the Manjalpur Shooting Academy in Vadodara.
Yeshaya Hafiz Contractor is another player who will be taking part in Clay Pigeon Trap Shooting (ISSF) Junior Women Individual in 36th National Games. Born on 21st March 2006 she began her shooting journey at the age of 13 at the Trap Shooting range at Savli Taluka Rifle Association, Savli (Gujarat). Her first competitive event was the 38th Gujarat State Trap Shooting Competition 2019 where she secured a total of 6 medals; 1 gold, 2 Silvers, and 3 Bronze in Trap and Double Trap Junior, Senior, and Team Events. Consequently, She secured gold at the 7th West Zone Shooting Championship in Shotgun Events, Vadodara Gujarat, 2019.
A trap shooting enthusiast, in the previous three years, she was successful in winning Gold at the 39th, 40th, and 41st Gujarat State Shotgun Shooting Championships. Her determination, passion, and love for the sport propelled her to achieve a Double Renowned Shot Certification at the 63rd and 64th National Shooting Championships in shotgun events.
These players from Vadodara are practicing hard to win a medal and also represent in Olympics in future!
