Behind the Scenes: The Arsenal of Indian Shooters

Sameer Ambekar has a unique role in the world of Indian shooting. Back in 2002, he formed a partnership with a young shooter named Abhinav Bindra. The duo struck gold at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in the 10m air rifle pairs event. While many of their contemporaries chose to become national coaches, Ambekar decided to forge his own path as an armourer for the National Rifle Association of India.

In shooting, the success of an athlete heavily relies on a well-tuned firearm. Ambekar’s job is crucial in preventing any gun malfunctions for Indian shooters as they prepare for the upcoming Paris Olympics. A good shooter needs a reliable weapon, and this is where Ambekar steps in, ensuring that everything from weight distribution on rifles to pellet selection is meticulously handled.

Ambekar believes it’s essential for shooters to have someone they can trust within India to work on their guns. “If there are issues in a rifle, or some changes to be made, after talking with the athletes and their coaches, I handle those adjustments,” he says. From weapon testing to modifying rifles, Ambekar plays an indispensable role in the training of elite athletes.

His journey into this world began in 2003 when he faced challenges tuning his new rifle. A detailed inspection revealed that the problem lay in the weight distribution. Although making a comeback as a shooter was not meant to be, this experience pointed him toward a different career path.

Later, in 2011, Gagan Narang, who won a bronze in the 10-meter air rifle at the London Olympics a year later, invited Ambekar to join Guns for Glory. This opportunity took him to Germany to learn the craft of gun manufacturing at Walther, where he honed his skills in repairing and customizing rifles.

Today, Ambekar serves some of India’s finest shooters, including Elavenil Valarivan and Ramita Jindal, and he has been working closely with them for several years. Recently, he faced a challenge when Elavenil’s rifle became damaged during transit before an important competition. Although he couldn’t fully restore it due to a lack of parts, Ambekar was adept at making on-the-spot adjustments to keep her weapon functional.

Ambekar’s expertise also played a pivotal role in the performances of a shooter known as Sandeep. Sandeep edged past World Championship gold medalist Rudrankksh Patil during the Paris Olympic Trials in New Delhi. His improved performance came after a visit to Walther, where his rifle was upgraded with a new recoil absorber.

Ambekar has a routine for servicing elite athletes’ rifles every two months. Given the intense training, with shooters firing 200 to 250 shots daily, wear and tear is a constant concern. Ambekar modifies the rifles based on athletes’ needs and carefully monitors their performance afterward.

The intricacies of this job go beyond just sourcing parts. Ambekar’s ability to creatively troubleshoot on-the-spot adjustments ensures that athletes feel comfortable and satisfied with their equipment. With a record 21 shooters from India set to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ambekar’s responsibility to help them achieve peak performance is monumental.