The country’s ace female shooter Kamrun Nahar Koly has set her goal to end Bangladesh’s medal drought in Asian Games shooting before starting her mission with 10m air rifle events in Hangzhou Sunday where she will target reaching the finals first.
The 21-year old from Narayanganj will make her debut in the continent’s biggest sports carnival after shining brightly in the same rifle event at the World Cup, World Championships and Asian Championships in the past one year.
She became the first shooter from Bangladesh to reach the finals of the World Cup in Indonesia earlier this year, after setting national record in the World Championships in Egypt and finishing fourth in the Asian Championships in South Korea last year.
Dhaka Tribune caught up with the shooting star for an exclusive interview last week, a day before she left here for China to participate in the 19th Asiad. Here are the excerpts:
How did you get involved with shooting?
It was not planned. It started out of curiosity. When I was a college student, I used to pass by Narayanganj Rifles Club at Chashara mor every day. Even when I was a child, I noticed the club whenever I was around that place. I always had this curiosity as to what was happening there. I thought there could be many rifles inside. As I liked action movies since childhood, the word rifle always amused me. I had no idea that there was a sport like shooting. One day, I entered the club on my way to college without any plans. I met my first coach there. There were senior shooters among others. They explained me first what shooting is all about and asked me if I’m interested to join. I said yes. I got admitted the following day. It was April 15, 2017. I became the first member of my family to become a shooter.
Can you recall the feeling of holding the rifle for the first time?
It took a while before a rifle was handed to a fresher like me as I was encouraged to learn the rules first, and watch the games. So I couldn’t shoot in the first few months. I only watched others play. I began practice in January, 2018 ahead of the Bangladesh Youth Games. By this time, I learned a little about holding the rifle. When I first took the rifle on my hands, I found it very heavy. I didn’t know how to hold it (body lock) and aim. I struggled to balance the weight. I still remember my first shots and it was good (smiles). I felt really great. I thought I could do better if I carry on practice and focus more. I also liked the sport and my confidence built up gradually.
Tell us about your first competition…
It was the Youth Games. I visited the federation for the first time before the competition. There were many shooters but most of them were senior. There was fear at first but I played with courage and finished second in Dhaka division. I enjoyed it. The coaches became more interested in me. I never had to look back since then. Then I won gold in the inter-club shooting event, followed by another gold in the national competition in 2019.
When did you make international debut?
It was the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in Changwon, South Korea in July last year where I made my debut. My second international appearance was at the ISSF World Championships in Cairo, Egypt where I produced highest score (629.2) to finish 14th. Then I claimed fourth spot in the Asian Air Rifle Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
What was the secret behind reaching the World Cup finals?
The secret was a good coach and management. I had a two-year long gap in shooting since 2020. When I resumed, I came under the guidance of Iranian rifle coach Zaer Rezaei. His programs, schedules, rifle setting and theory class helped me improve a lot. I also learned how to control the international temperament. He taught me how to balance. I also have individual planning as I want to shoot well in every shot and do better in every series and competition. I think a player’s effort is not enough; you also need coach’s support. My coach worked a lot to support me. I tried to follow.
Which achievement do you cherish the most?
The joys were different. One came after reaching the World Cup finals and the other came after shooting the highest score in the World Championships. I was more satisfied in Cairo after setting the highest score by any Bangladeshi because I enjoyed every shot there. I kept it coming. It was the best.
What is your target in the Asian Games?
If I can carry on my form from the World Cup and World Championships, it is possible to win a medal at the Asiad. I’m moving forward with this goal. I want to put up a good score. If I can score like I did in Cairo, I can easily make it to the finals where I have to compete against seven other top shooters. If I reach the finals, I hope to give a fight for the medal.
