Kolhapur’s Sonam Uttam Maskar, a 23-year-old 10m air rifle shooter, is set to represent India at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Her journey from a casual interest in shooting to international competition was supported by her father, who sold a property to fund her professional gear. The Asian Games shooting events will be held from September 17 to October 3 at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery.
Sonam faced financial challenges as she pursued shooting seriously, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic when her family was under economic strain. To overcome this, her father made a significant sacrifice by selling a property to ensure she had the necessary equipment. Sonam expressed gratitude for her family’s unwavering support throughout her sporting career.
Initially introduced to shooting in 2018 during her college days in Mumbai, Sonam transitioned from viewing it as a hobby to a potential career path. Despite setbacks caused by the pandemic, she dedicated herself to training in 10m air rifle shooting at the Kolhapur range in 2021. Her hard work paid off with notable achievements, including a silver medal at the 2024 ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi.
Sonam’s success on the international stage, including a victory at the 2024 Cairo World Cup, earned her the opportunity to represent the Railways. Currently, she is focused on preparing for the Asian Games under the guidance of her coaches, both Indian and foreign. Sonam expressed her appreciation for the support received from her family, sponsors, and various organizations as she gears up for the upcoming competition.
