Areeba will be representing India in the women’s individual, mixed team, and women’s team skeet events at the World Shotgun Championships 2022.
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Shooting is one of the few sports in which India has shown its prowess over the past few years. In fact, India is now regarded as a powerhouse in shooting by many, owing to some praiseworthy performances in World Championships, World Cups, and Paralympics. The country has seen the rise of shooters like Manu Bhaker, Anjum Moudgil, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, and Saurabh Chaudhary who are leading the Indian line-up lately in Pistol and Rifle shooting. With Mairaj Ahmed Khan clinching the first-ever gold medal in the skeet event in the ISSF World Cup held in Changwon, all eyes are on the Shotgun shooters who are representing the nation at World Shotgun Championships 2022.
One of the promising aspects to watch out for in the championships is Areeba Khan. Areeba specializes in Skeet shooting and has previously won medals in the ISSF World Championships Lima 2021 (Gold) and ISSF World Cup Suhl 2022 (Bronze) in the women’s team event. She was picked in the World Championships squad on the basis of her performance at the National selection trials.
Hailing from Aligarh, the 20-year-old prodigy is pursuing her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts at the Aligarh Muslim University. Areeba Khan took up skeet shooting at the age of twelve when she visited a range alongside her father and brother. At first, she was scared of the sounds produced by the guns because of their loudness. But, everything changed once she got her hands on the sport for the first time. It was indeed an amazing experience as she found herself visiting the range almost every day.
Areeba emphasized being trained by three coaches. When she is at home, it is her father Khalid Khan who guides her in her training. His father is the person who encouraged Areeba to take up shooting and was himself a national-level shooter. The 2016 European champion Riccardo Filippelli is Areeba’s present coach. Areeba began her training under the Italian coach in March. Her stint didn’t continue until July after which she attended two or three camps with him. “Training with him has really helped me. His technique is different from how I used to shoot before. But, the transition phase is working quite well in getting me better at the new technique.” The youngster had also been coached by India’s leading shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan.
“Mairaj Ahmad Khan is the most hardworking shotgun shooter in India. I have been familiar with many shotgun shooters. But, the kind of passion which he has for the sport, I have not seen in anyone else. You can find him at the range all the time. His lifestyle is just based on shooting. Even at this age, he is still at it. He has just been here on his own and fought alone which is highly inspirational”, Areeba said about the Indian veteran. When the Sportslumo team asked her about what the champion athlete has advised her, she added, “He has always taught me to never give up. He has always believed in me and encouraged me. When I was on the verge of giving up, he was the one who pushed me to move forward.”
On being asked how she was doing ahead of the championships, she replied, “The preparations have gone well. I want to be there with a strong mindset. I want to give my 100% in the event. My routine underwent severe changes last month which included jogging, exercising, etc. So, it has definitely helped me in shaping up. I am excited about the championships.”
Since the dates of the World Shotgun Championships are clashing with the National Games 2022, the SportsLumo team asked Areeba’s viewpoint on this. To which, she responded, “It’s very disappointing indeed. 24 shotgun shooters, 12 trap, and 12 skeet shooters won’t be present at the biggest sporting event in the nation which is quite disheartening. It would have been better if things were organized in a better way.”
The World Shotgun Championships kicked off with the commencement of the Trap events from September 21, while the Skeet events will begin on October 2. Areeba will be representing India in the women’s individual, mixed team, and women’s team skeet events.
