File image of Anjali Bhagwat and Nana Patekar© X (Formerly Twitter)
Anjali Bhagwat’s journey to the Olympics was extremely difficult. During the 1990s, the lack of financial resources made it difficult for a lot of Indian shooters to own their equipment. Anjali, along with fellow shooters Deepali Deshpande and Suma Shirur, had to share a rifle and shooting kit. But, when Nana Patekar got to know about their struggles, he stepped in and helped Anjali get the equipment she needed. His support proved to be a major turning point in her career, as she went on to represent India at three Olympic Games.
Later, Anjali went on to become one of India’s leading shooters, competing at the Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympics.
In the early years of her career, one of her biggest challenges was access to proper equipment. When Nana learned about the situation, he decided to sponsor Anjali’s shooting kit, including a jacket and trousers imported from Korea. He also helped her acquire a rifle of her own, allowing her to train and compete with the equipment she needed.
Her hard work eventually took her to the highest level of the sport. Anjali rose to become world No. 1 in the 10m Air Rifle event, establishing herself as one of India’s most prominent names in international shooting.
While Nana Patekar is widely known for his performances in Indian cinema, his contribution to Anjali’s journey extended beyond the screen. By supporting her when financial limitations threatened her ambitions, he helped her take an important step towards a successful career in shooting.
Anjali’s story highlights how timely support can make a difference in an athlete’s journey, especially when talent and determination need resources to reach their full potential.
Featured Video Of The Day
India Ends CWG Boxing Campaign With Record-Breaking Seven Gold Medals
Topics mentioned in this article
