India, Oct. 4 -- For 22-year-old Thane (Maharashtra) based air rifle shooter Rudrankksh Patil, the 2026 Asian Games will remain a lifelong memory. The youngster won three medals in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan - silver in the 10m air rifle men's team event, silver in the 50m 3P men's team event, and bronze in the 10m air rifle individual event. "I was feeling very proud after winning three medals. I was very happy... compared to the last edition of the Asian Games, where I only won one medal," says Patil. He adds, "I had faith and the confidence that I could shoot up to a certain score no matter what." Ranked fourth in the world, Patil believes India has established itself as a major force in rifle shooting, with seven Olympic and 50 Commonwealth Games medals. "We are one of the most powerful countries around the world (in rifle shooting) and have won all major medals," he says. Government's support, he adds, has helped the sport grow. "People have now started to notice how important rifle shooting is for our country and how good we are at it," he shares. However, he believes more infrastructure is needed. "I feel we are missing an Olympic range, an Olympic centre, which are only meant for training for Olympics." The young lad also points to India's dependence on foreign equipment for "weapons, ammo and pellets". Patil also believes that high financial incentives could encourage more youngsters to take up the sport. "If the cash rewards are low, people tend to go towards usual jobs... But athletes can earn only during their peak years," he shares, adding, "Most people think athletes are only meant for sports. There are many players who are smarter and clever, but they spend their youth chasing a dream for the country."...