Pregnant Indian Shooter Meghana Sajjanar Clinches Bronze at Asian Championships
In a remarkable display of determination and skill, Indian shooter Meghana Sajjanar, who is eight months pregnant, won a bronze medal in the women's 10m air rifle event at the Asian Shooting Championships in New Delhi. The tense final saw her not only manage her own heartbeat but also that of her unborn child, as she secured third place with a total score of 229.5 after qualifying with 628.6.
Overcoming Physical and Technical Challenges
Meghana, 32, acknowledged the high difficulty level of competing while pregnant, stating it required significant adjustments both physically and technically. She reduced her training load to focus on technique and consistency, working carefully around the challenges of pregnancy. Her coach, former shooter Rakesh Manpat, noted that she essentially had to relearn shooting due to her changing body.
Finding balance and center of gravity became a daily struggle, as Meghana had to alter her shooting jacket and trousers completely. "Technically, my center of gravity and balance have changed, which makes things more difficult. But I worked on it every single day to adapt," said the Karnataka-based athlete.
Adapting to Baby's Movements During Competition
During matches, Meghana faced the unique challenge of her baby's movements, which affected her performance, especially in the qualification round. "The baby moves. During the qualification round, especially in the beginning, I struggled because of the movement. I had to stay calm, adjust, and work through it," she explained. Despite this, she shot 103.2 in her first series and maintained an average of 105 over the next five series.
Well-Planned Decision to Compete
Meghana, who earned her first international bronze at the World Cup in Ningbo last year, was determined not to lose momentum this season. She performed well in trials and remained in the Indian squad, viewing the Asian Championship as likely her last competition before a long break. "I didn't want to miss the Asian Championship. This is likely the last competition I'll compete in before taking a long break, so it was a well-planned decision," she said.
The decision to compete was not made lightly. Meghana consulted multiple doctors to ensure shooting was safe during pregnancy, receiving assurances and regular physiotherapy support. Additionally, she had to be extra cautious with medications to avoid any doping violations, consulting doctors to confirm nothing she took was on the prohibited list.
This achievement highlights Meghana's resilience and dedication, setting an inspiring example in the world of sports as she balances athletic excellence with motherhood.
