From Family Sacrifice to Asian Games Dream: Sonam Maskar's Inspiring Journey to India's Shooting Team

Every successful athlete has a story of perseverance, but for Indian shooter Sonam Uttam Maskar, the road to the 2026 Asian Games is defined as much by her family's sacrifices as her own dedication.

The 23-year-old 10m air rifle shooter from Kolhapur has earned a place in India's squad for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where the shooting events will be held from September 17 to October 3. As she prepares for the biggest multi-sport event of her career, Sonam looks back on a journey that began almost by accident and was made possible by one life-changing decision from her father.

When financial difficulties threatened to derail her shooting ambitions, her father, Uttam Maruti Maskar, sold a property so that she could purchase professional shooting equipment. That sacrifice became the foundation of a career that has now taken Sonam to the international stage.

Unlike many elite athletes who discover their sport at an early age, Sonam's introduction to shooting was unexpected. While studying at Tolani College of Commerce in Mumbai in 2018, she decided to try shooting simply because she wanted to explore something different. Having previously played chess and enjoyed sports in general, shooting initially seemed like an interesting hobby rather than a career option.

"I was always interested in sports, and I used to play chess as well. I thought I should try something different, so I initially took up shooting. I started shooting as a hobby, but it soon became something I wanted to build my career around," Sonam recalled.

What began as curiosity gradually transformed into ambition as she discovered both her talent and passion for precision shooting.

As Sonam progressed in the sport, she soon realised that competing at a higher level required professional equipment. However, the timing could hardly have been worse.

The COVID-19 pandemic had created significant financial challenges for the family, making the cost of rifles and accessories extremely difficult to afford. Recognising his daughter's potential, her father made an extraordinary decision. He sold a family property to ensure Sonam could continue chasing her dream.

"There was a time when we were facing financial difficulties, especially around the lockdown period. When it became clear that I needed my own equipment to progress further in shooting, my father sold a property so that we could buy it. It was a big decision for our family, but they have always supported me," she said.

The decision reflected the immense belief her family had in her ability, even during uncertain times.

Although the pandemic interrupted her early progress, Sonam returned with renewed determination in 2021. Training at the shooting range in Kolhapur, she committed herself fully to the 10m air rifle discipline. The improvement was rapid. Within a few years, Sonam established herself among India's leading rifle shooters, earning opportunities to compete at major international competitions.

Her disciplined approach, technical consistency and calm temperament soon translated into podium finishes.

Among Sonam's biggest career milestones came at the ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi in 2024, where she produced an outstanding performance to win the silver medal. Competing in front of a home crowd made the achievement even more special. 

"The World Cup Final medal in Delhi in 2024 is one of the most special moments of my career. Winning a silver medal in front of the home crowd was a very memorable experience for me," Sonam said.

Her performances during the 2024 international season, including an impressive showing at the ISSF World Cup in Cairo, significantly elevated her standing within Indian shooting. Those results also helped her secure employment with the Indian Railways, providing additional stability as she continued her sporting career.

Now, Sonam's complete attention is focused on the upcoming Asian Games. Representing India at one of Asia's biggest sporting events marks another major milestone in her journey.

Preparation has intensified in recent months, with Sonam working closely alongside foreign coach Farnik Thomas as well as the Indian coaching staff. The emphasis remains on refining technique, improving consistency and ensuring peak performance when competition begins in Japan. "The preparations for the Asian Games are going well. I am currently working with my foreign coach, Farnik Thomas, as well as my Indian coaches in the team, and the focus is on preparing in the best possible way for the competition," she explained.

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Despite her growing list of achievements, Sonam remains grounded and acknowledges the people who have played a role in her journey. She expressed heartfelt gratitude towards her family, whose unwavering support made everything possible. She also thanked her sponsors and institutions, including Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence (SAI NCOE), the Railways, and her coaching and support staff.

"I am extremely grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. My family has always stood by me, and I am also thankful to my sponsors, OGQ, the NRAI, SAI NCOE, Railways and my entire support staff for constantly supporting me and helping me grow as an athlete," she said.

Sonam Maskar's story extends far beyond medals and rankings. It is a reminder that behind every elite athlete often stands a family willing to make extraordinary sacrifices.

Her father's decision to sell a property was not merely a financial transaction—it was an investment in a dream. Today, that dream has carried Sonam to India's Asian Games team. As she prepares to compete against the continent's best in Aichi-Nagoya, she carries not only the hopes of the nation but also the faith and sacrifices of those who believed in her long before the medals arrived.

Regardless of the outcome in Japan, Sonam Maskar's journey already stands as one of determination, resilience and gratitude—qualities that continue to define some of India's finest sporting stories.