“I wish I could have shot better” - Arjun Babuta Reflects on Narrow Miss in Paris 2024 10m Air Rifle Final

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In a gripping 10m air rifle final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian shooter Arjun Babuta showcased both skill and resilience but narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal, finishing in fourth place.

Babuta, who entered the final with a score of 630.1 points in the qualification round, delivered a commendable performance throughout the competition, underlining his potential on the global stage.

Babuta’s journey in the final began on a strong note. The 25-year-old shooter made a notable impact with an impressive 10.7 in his opening shot, setting a solid foundation for his performance.

Over the course of the initial five-shot series, he managed to secure fourth place with a cumulative score of 52.4 points. By the end of the first ten shots, Babuta advanced to third place with a total score of 105.0 points, which significantly boosted India’s hopes for a medal.

Reflecting on his performance, Babuta expressed mixed emotions, saying, “Mixed thoughts, definitely very disheartening, I do want to cry but eventually I have to move on, so today I will take it with my thoughts.” His determination was evident as he acknowledged his efforts. “I did try my best, I am proud of it, whether it was preparation, qualification or final, I did put my 100%,” he stated.

Consistent Performance and High Pressure

Babuta’s performance continued to impress as he secured the second spot following the first elimination, with a score of 126.4. His ability to maintain this position was evident as he consistently held on to second place with a score of 146.9. Throughout the competition, Babuta displayed consistent shooting, including notable scores of 10.6 and 10.8.

However, the competition was fierce. Babuta faced stiff challenges from PanAm star Marcelo Julian Gutierrez and South Korean shooter Choe Daehan. Gutierrez was eliminated after scoring 122.8, while Choe, who was in a precarious position, eventually exited after the second elimination.

In the midst of this intense competition, Babuta faced a significant challenge with a 9.9 in one of his shots, which impacted his standing. He acknowledged the role of luck in such high-stakes events, saying, “Yes, it does, I believe in it. If you don’t have a match today, it doesn’t matter, if you don’t have a day, it doesn’t matter. If you have a day, you can shoot anywhere, it doesn't matter, I believe in it.”

Babuta also mentioned how maintaining focus was crucial, noting, “I try to just be in the zone, be with my process, my technique, breathing, calmness, what to do, aiming, triggering, I stay with it. If I get a score in between, I eliminate that thought and come back to the process.”

The Final Stages and a Narrow Miss

As the final stages approached, Babuta encountered a series of challenges. Despite a minor slip with a 10.2 shot, he managed to bounce back to second place following a 10.7 shot.

However, the final moments saw a dramatic shift. Victor Lindgren overtook Babuta for the second spot after a 10.8 shot, causing Babuta to slip to fourth place after a 10.4 shot. A subsequent 10.1 shot further affected his standing.

In the last crucial moments of the match, Babuta’s score of 9.5 on his final shot proved costly. This final score left him just 0.9 points behind the third-placed athlete, ultimately resulting in a fourth-place finish.

Despite his impressive performance and the close contest, Babuta fell short of securing a medal. “If someone else had done it better, I would have hit 10.78 as well. So, that might not have been enough. I would have had a comparison with others. If we had done a better shot, we would have won,” he said.

Reflections and Future Prospects

After the competition, Babuta reflected on his experience with a mixture of disappointment and hope. “It’s not the end of the world, I am going to pursue more in the future, so I am hopeful for the next competitions,” he said.

He also emphasized his commitment to learning and improvement, noting, “Lessons are only from spirituality, I do believe. But not just from one place, I take lessons from everywhere. Anyone can teach me anything, even a beggar can teach me anything.”

Babuta’s reaction to his fourth-place finish was a blend of acceptance and determination. “Definitely everyone wants to win a medal, their hard work should bear fruit.

Maybe that is why everyone is pursuing. But for 4th, it is a very bad position, I would say. Personally, as I am experiencing right now. It is very hard to deal, I wish I could have shot better,” he admitted.

He also acknowledged the value of his experience, stating, “I will accept it and move on with a smile. Because this will make me stronger and will help me in the future.”

Babuta's insights into his final performance reflected his resilience and commitment. “I was just aiming for 10.9. It looked perfect.

And I was with my process. I was aware that now it’s very close. And I have to do my best. And I did try. I still don’t know the reason why that shot went out. Because my execution was really good. So, I will discuss it with the team. Let’s see,” the shooter stated.