Last shot at glory: Pakistan's Usman Chand eyes LA 2028 spot

Although Pakistan’s seasoned skeet shooter Usman Chand always remains a major hope for Olympics he often narrowly misses a much sought-after quota place.

Having enormous experience of playing in various major international events since 2013, Usman aims to make a last-ditch effort to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Yes, always, I have put in my maximum effort to make it to the Olympics but missed it unfortunately every time. But this time InshaAllah I will try to make it to the 2028 Games,” Usman told Nukta in an interview from Sialkot.

But a big issue is that Usman also manages his company of surgical instruments in Sialkot and unlike other full-time shooters he has to plan quite differently to achieve his major goal. Usman manufactures cardio vascular surgical instruments.

“My plan is to undergo training and will also play matches along with my business and when I will come closer to the next Olympics cycle then I will put in hundred percent in shooting. This is the simple plan,” said Usman who has the experience of playing in three Asian Games and a number of World Cups, World Championships and Asian Championships.

“This time I will try to get quota place in initial matches. I have tried to qualify for the previous three Olympics. In 2015, I narrowly missed the spot by one shot in Azerbaijan. I had to reach the super six as four quota places were at stake but I missed the shot and finished seventh. Then again, I came very closer to the Tokyo Olympics but failed and now for Paris Games I again tried well but missed quota narrowly. It is in the hands of God and I can do what is in my control and what is not in my control I cannot do anything,” Usman said.

Asked what different he will need to do this time Usman said that he needs to live a more disciplined life.

“You will need to make your life more disciplined. You know I am doing business and it becomes very difficult to give too much time. Those with whom I compete have another level as they are too professional and shooting is their only job. What I am doing is due to my passion and courage. I have to give time to shooting and also to business and this is the big issue,” Usman said.

“My event is also too tough. But despite all these hurdles I am determined to make a cut for Los Angeles Games this time InshaAllah,” he said.

Usman also learns from his friend and former shooter Raza Ali Muneer. Raza although is no more active shooter but he usually goes offshore to get some tips from the top shooters about shotgun shooting and he also shares his experience with Usman.

“We both train jointly and it helps me learn from him some skills,” Usman said.

Usman is lucky that he has a skeet training facility close to his home and also to his factory.

“In the morning, I use to train and then go to factory and if days are long then in the evening I do some training,” Usman said.

He said that shooting is very expensive game.

“Look one round costs around Rs 6,000. It means you will need to save around Rs 150,000 for daily training consumption. So first I will have to earn money and then will go for competitions to win quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. My target is to save 100,000 US dollars during next one year for my training and competitions. If you believe or not but such an amount will be spent on it as it is very costly game,” he said.

Financial burden

Usman said that he had met all his financial costs for the Paris Games by himself.

“Yes, I had met all my costs. Yes, I had got Rs 1.4 million in terms of IOC scholarship which I used to get directly,” the shooter said.

Usman will need at least 200,000 US dollars for his next Olympics cycle.

“What I need now for the next cycle are matches, experience and luck,” Usman said.

Usman also plans to make his 14-year-old daughter Areena Usman a shooter and has started imparting skeet training to her.

“If a kid starts shooting in this age, then I hope she will be ready inside next six years. As I coach her so it will benefit her more in her progress."