Palak's art of gold

Shooter Palak during the 10m air pistol finals at Hangzhou, China, yesterday

India's teenage pistol shooting sensation Palak's rock steady hands are equally good at deftly handling an artist's pencil.

On Friday, Palak, 17, shot to a new Asian Games record (242.1) en route to clinching a gold medal in the 10m air pistol individual competition moments after winning a team silver in the same event. Compatriot Esha Singh (239.7) stood second, completing an impressive India 1-2.

Interestingly, whenever she's not shooting, Gurugram girl Palak is busy sketching human portraits. "I love to sketch with a pencil," she tells mid-day soon after her double medal-winning feat. "I don't watch movies or have any other hobbies. Human sketches is the only thing I do when I'm off the shooting range and it relaxes me a lot, just takes all the pressure off," adds Palak, who began shooting in 2019, but did not practise too much during the Coronavirus pandemic thereafter and returned to the range in 2021.

Palak with her gold medal. Pics/PTI

Learning to be patient

Patiently taking her time between shots during Friday's final, Palak was often the last in the line-up to shoot. She probably gets that patience from her subjects, who sit before her for her sketches. "I draw people, friends or family, but my two favourite live models are my twin eight-year-old younger brother and sister Jivesh and Jhanvi," she says, before making a quick correction just like she kept adjusting her pistol between shots earlier, "Sorry, they are nine years old," she says. But given their ages, won't the little ones be tough to remain steady during a session? "Yes," Palak replies, "So, I often end up using their photographs and sketching from there," she says with a laugh.

Also Read: Asian Games 2023: Daddy's gutsy girl!

Slow and steady

Slow and steady is Palak's mantra for success. "Two days before the competition, I set a routine which I follow right through. I ensure I get eight hours of sleep and whatever I do, I do slowly. It's important not to rush into anything like walking or doing anything because you have to keep your heartbeat low," she explains before heading out to meet a horde of TV camerapersons, waiting to shoot India's latest golden girl.