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Laszlo Szucsak keeps 'starved' Iranian shooters on track

Iran markswomen hit bullseye despite having to train without bullet in their weapons back home because of international embargo; Russian open to coach Indians in future

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Gold medallist Najmeh Khedmati of Iran (R) waves as second-placed Narjes Emamgholinejad Andevari looks on in Incheon on Monday
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Imagine a scenario where a shooter is trying to hit the bullseye without a bullet in his gun This may sound crazy to most but this is exactly the situation with Iranian shooters back home where they have been diligently preparing for major international competitions without a bullet in their weapons for more than a year now.

But when the results of 10m Air Rifle women's event were announced on Monday, two Iranian girls – Najmeh Khedmati and Andevari Narjes Emamgholinejad – triumphed over all their other better off adversaries to win gold and silver medals for their medal-starved nation.

China's Binbin Zhang was in for a shock as she was reduced to third place finish despite being touted as the hot favourite. India's 21-year-old Ayonika Paul finished with a lowly seventh rank in the same event.

Khedmati's and Emamgholinejad's scores of 207.9 and 206.6, respectively, on this historic day would always go down in history as a reward for their Russian coach Laszlo Szucsak.

Based in Iran for more than four years now, Szucsak has kept the shooting sport alive even as international embargo has made it almost impossible for the shooting association there to import any ammunition.

"There is just dry training happening back in Iran because of the international embargo. And there is no company there who can manufacture such quality ammunition. So, we've been getting absolutely nothing to shoot with," Szucsak told dna.

So, how do the shooters manage there?
"We are basically managing with electric training system. Our shooters have been training so hard and showing tremendous discipline to keep themselves competitive despite the entire problem," the 63-year-old coach said.

It must be mentioned here that the Russian coach was training Indian shooters till 2010. It was just before the Commonwealth Games in Delhi that he left for Iran without assigning any reason.

Sports Authority of India again contacted Laszlo earlier this year on National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) strong recommendation.

"It's true that India wanted me as junior coach. But I thought India already has a young junior coach. I am 63 now and want to finish when I am 65 after Rio Olympics. So, I didn't want to change," said the veteran coach, adding: "It's more so because Iran is a very friendly team and people there give me a lot of respect."

Whatever be Szucsak's reason, one thing is for sure – that Indian rifle shooters improved immensely under him and, Abhinav Bindra's first individual Olympic gold or Gagan Narang's achievements over the last few years are clearly a testimony of the Russian's guiding hand.

"I always keep track of Indian shooters and watch them whenever I get a chance to go to any international competition. They are really doing so well and hope they continue to do so," he said.

But when asked if Indian shooters still seek his advice, he added: "Sometimes, but not much of coaching is practical when I'm attached with some other team. But, whenever some Indian shooter comes to me to meet or to discuss any particular issue, I do share my experience with him."

Szucsak has not shut the doors on India. He is likely to take a final call on continuing in Iran later this year. "If the training conditions don't improve in Iran by the end of this year and some offer comes my way from any other country, I will surely be tempted to take that offer till my retirement. But whether it will be India or not, I do not really know. But, let me tell you that I never close doors for anyone."

Hopefully, SAI and NRAI are listening!

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