Shooting: Mehuli Ghosh's Olympian coach preparing her for Youth Olympics in Europe

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Kolkata, Dec 14: Mehuli Ghosh clinched her first international medal at the recently concluded Asian Airgun Shooting championship in Japan. Significantly her maiden international medal was gold in 10M Rifle shooting.

But she did not sound too elated while speaking over phone. Ghosh has already come to Kerala on Monday to take part in the national rifle shooting championship.

Speaking over phone from Kerala, the 17-year-old shooter’s first reaction was, “Yes, I am very happy to have achieved a gold medal in the 10-meter air rifle. But I have to go a long way. Time has not yet come for me to celebrate!”

Mehuli, who is being hailed as country’s most promising female shooter, has changed a lot since the time she was placed 17th in the Youth World Cup, held last year.

Mehuli revealed, “Yes, I have been working on improving my mental strength and concentration after my last international tournaments in Czech Republic and in the Youth World Cup in Germany. Now, since the selection trial for this Asian Championship, held in New Delhi, following a month’s preparatory camp I am being able to realize that my concentration has been more solid. Now, I am being able to keep myself calm before my match and the entire credit for this goes to my coach Joydeep Karmakar.”

Karmakar, who was placed fourth in the London Olympics in 2012 in the 50 meter prone, also had an appreciation for her student.

Commenting on his student’s recent performance he said, “Mehuli has improved a lot psychologically. She is being able to keep herself relaxed and calm before her any crucial matches. Even during the practice sessions at my coaching centre she has reduced talking much. Just like a saint, she is practising nowadays.”

Still, the Olympian coach wants to take his student to Europe before the Youth Olympics to be held next year. Mehuli has earned qualification for the important championship by winning a gold medal in Japan.

Joydeep added, “Youth Olympics is a big event. You must have to be technically superior as well to earn a medal there. So, I have planned to take her to Europe for a brief preparation before the Youth Olympics.”