From 0.3-point heartbreak to Asian Games bronze: Rudrankksh Patil’s road to redemption

Nagoya: At the last Asian Games, Rudrankksh Patil missed the bronze by 0.3 points in the shoot-off. On Monday, the 22-year-old finally had his medal and a measure of redemption.The past few years have been a roller-coaster ride for the Thane shooter, with Monday’s bronze coming after a series of near-misses and disappointments.Asian Games Full Coverage | Schedule| Medal TallyAt the 2022 World Championships in Cairo, Patil secured a quota place for the Paris Olympics, but lost out in the selection trials to Sandeep Singh. In 2023, he did not get an opportunity to defend his world title either.Patil believes those disappointments and circumstances have taken a mental toll. In Monday’s 10m air rifle individual final, he led at the halfway stage before gradually slipping away. He admitted the problem was more mental than tactical.“I got a little excited, too excited to finish the shot. I could have been much more patient there and it could have been better,” he said.The bronze, while a relief, also brought back another disappointment. Despite becoming world champion, Patil has not received the Arjuna Award. He admitted the snub affected him deeply.“I’ve never said this openly before, but I was disappointed when the Arjuna Awards were announced. I cried. It was also funny because I have been world No. 1 twice, a world-record holder four times. I won the world championship, World Cups and Asian titles, yet...”“That said, my state has supported me a lot and I’ve also received a lot of support from the central government through schemes like TOPS,” Patil added.“But I know these things are not in my hands. The only thing I can do is win medals. But I really hope the country appreciates it in some or the other way,” he added.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.