Rakesh Nidagundi designs his destiny from graphics to Asian Para Games

PUNE: Destiny works in mysterious ways. With his legs affected by polio since childhood, Hubballi’s Rakesh Nidagundi, thought a career in graphic design, would suit him better.Until 2017, he had no idea that it would only open doors to bigger opportunities and a sporting life that he had never thought of.On Wednesday, the Karnataka shooter, 38, will travel to Japan for the Asian Para Games, his first multi-sport event since he started shooting in 2021.“I am very excited and prepared for the Asian Para Games. I have worked hard for this, and I am hoping to do well,” the rifle shooter told TOI. The Karnataka shooter will participate in the 10m air rifle SH1 category at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.Shooting happened to Rakesh by chance. While at his office, he got an order to design a creative publishing material for a shooting academy in Hubballi. “That was the first time I got to know about shooting. The coach at the academy, Ravichandra Balehosur, asked me to visit his academy and try out the sport," Rakesh, who now trains and is sponsored by the Vijayi Bharat Foundation in Ahmedabad, said.“I didn’t think of trying the sport then, but during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, I had no work, so I decided to try it once the lockdown was relaxed. I fell in love with the sport and started competing in 2021,” Rakesh said.After he started competing, his life changed after he won medals at the Khelo India Games. “I was supported by the government through the National Centre of Excellence and VBF also came forward to help me. Since then, I have been improving consistently and have won medals at the World level,” said the shooter, who won silver at the World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) in Changwon, last month.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.