New Delhi: In a remarkable tale of determination and unexpected opportunity, Naib Subedar Kedarling Balakrishna Uchaganve, a 27-year-old from a farming family in a small village in Karnataka, has been selected to represent India in shooting at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. What makes his journey particularly inspiring is that he had never fired a pistol before joining the Indian Army in 2018.
Uchaganve, who serves with the 27 Madras Regiment, initially joined the Army with modest aspirations. Like many young men from rural backgrounds, his primary goals were to secure stable employment, support his family, and serve the nation. Shooting was not part of his plans. His early sporting experience was limited to district-level running events, including the 1500 metres. He recalled that his only prior knowledge of the sport came from general awareness of Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra during his school and college years.
His introduction to pistol shooting occurred almost by chance during the Army’s talent identification process at a shooting range. “I did not know much about shooting before joining the Army… When I joined the Army in 2018, I discovered that there was a shooting range and that talent was being identified. I was selected, and that was when I really came to know about shooting,” Uchaganve stated. The first time he handled a pistol was during this selection process.
Initially, he approached the activity without a clear understanding of its potential. However, through exposure to competitions, senior shooters, coaches, and motivational programmes, his perspective evolved. He began to recognise that the sport could offer a dual path of military service and national representation. Uchaganve was particularly drawn to the indoor nature of pistol shooting, which demands intense concentration, self-control, and precision without external variables such as weather or terrain. “I liked that it is an indoor sport and there are no external factors like running. You have to control yourself and focus on your grouping. I started enjoying it,” he explained.
The Indian Army provided critical support that enabled his progress. It supplied his first pistol, access to coaches, sports medicine professionals, and nutrition staff. As his performance improved, he received an individual weapon after initially using shared equipment, and he later invested in a spare pistol. Additional assistance has come from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and sponsors, facilitating participation in competitions, training camps, and international events.
Coming from an agriculture-dependent joint family, where his parents continue to farm, Uchaganve has faced financial challenges associated with equipment and ammunition costs. He has balanced his career with efforts to assist his family when needed. He begins each day with meditation focused on breathing and remaining present, a practice that aligns with the mental demands of the sport. His competitive philosophy centres on disciplined execution of training routines, with the belief that results will follow naturally.
Uchaganve has already competed at the senior World Cup level in 2022. Selection for the Asian Games represents his most significant achievement to date, though he has set his sights higher, aiming for an Olympic medal at the Los Angeles Games. His family, while not fully conversant with the technical aspects of international shooting, takes great pride in his opportunity to compete abroad. “They are very happy that their son is going to another country for a competition… They just tell me to do well, take care of myself and have faith in God,” he noted. He maintains that he feels no undue pressure from expectations in his village, unit, or country, focusing instead on present performance.
Uchaganve’s story underscores the role of institutional support, particularly from the armed forces, in identifying and nurturing talent from diverse backgrounds. As he prepares for the Asian Games, scheduled for September–October 2026, his journey from a Karnataka village to the international stage serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.
