New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- When Kedarling Balakrishna Uchaganve joined the Indian Army in 2018, he had no grand sporting ambition. Like many youngsters from his village in Karnataka, his immediate goal was simple - to secure a job, support his family and serve the country. Shooting was nowhere on his radar.

Today, the 27-year-old Naib Subedar of the 27 Madras Regiment is preparing to represent India at the Asian Games 2026, having discovered the sport only after joining the Army. And while the Asian Games will mark the biggest chapter of his journey so far, Kedarling already has his eyes on an even bigger dream - winning an Olympic medal at Los Angeles.

Coming from a small village in Karnataka, Kedarling grew up in a family whose livelihood ...