STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Believe it or not, but the fact remains that a shooter from remote village of Damhall in Kakernag (Anantnag) of Kashmir Division of J&K, Amir Ahmed Bhat, son of Abdul Hamid Bhat, has become first Para Shooter of the country to qualify for the Olympics in less than two years of active play at the National scene.
Amir won gold medal in the WSPS World Championship in September 2023, hence secured Olympic quota for Paris Olympics 2024.
Serving with Indian Army, Amir Ahmed made his debut to play for National Games in March 2022 and secured silver medal. And, this was the beginning of a bright career for this J&K marksman, who never looked back and has already won 10 medals at the international and national level.
“A resident of village Damhall in Tehsil Kokernag of district Anantnag in Kashmir Division, talented Amir Ahmed did his schooling from native village. Soon after completing his 12th, he joined the Indian Army’s JKLI (Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry) as a soldier in the year 2012. He soon developed interest in shooting sports, but at the regiment level only,” informed CEO of J&K Rifle Shooting Association, Sharat Chander Singh.
It was in March 2021 that Amir appeared in selection trials for, conducted by the Indian Army, for ‘Marksmanship Unit’ of Mhow in Indore. “My performance was hailed by the official during unit trials at Mhow. However, I had to switch to pistol shooting instead of rifle shooting which was something tough. After five months training in pistol was selected as a shooting player in the Indian Army’s marksmanship unit,” disclosed Amir.
“Thereafter, in these two successive years, until now, I earned many rewards and represented my country at national as well as international level thus winning 10 medals, including a gold in 4th National Para Shooting Championship held in Delhi,” further said emerging J&K shooter.
Amir has represented the Union Territory of J&K in the in 1st Khelo India Para Games and got first position in 50 meters free pistol with qualifying score of 540.
