Agrima Kanwar was just 18 months old when Abhinav Bindra secured a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. As she grew older and learned about his achievements, he became her role model. Just last week, Agrima made history by winning Himachal Pradesh’s first medal at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar, securing silver in the women’s Skeet shooting event.
Agrima shared that she didn’t know much about Abhinav Bindra before taking up shooting. “But when I began pistol shooting a few years ago, my father — a Colonel in the Indian Army — gifted me Mr. Bindra’s autobiography, A Shot At History. He told me I’d find it relatable, and he was absolutely right,” she said.
The young shooter was deeply inspired by Abhinav Bindra’s account of narrowly missing out on a medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. “Reading how he coped with that loss — the patience, the pursuit of perfection, and his eventual comeback — left a lasting impression on me. It taught me that setbacks are just part of the journey,” said Agrima.
Agrima Kanwar’s bond with Abhinav Bindra’s journey goes far beyond mere admiration. “Whenever I have an off day at the shooting range, I turn to his book. Just a few lines are enough to lift my spirits and remind me that it’s okay to not be perfect every day — there’s always a fresh start tomorrow. That perspective has transformed how I shoot and how I approach challenges,” she shared.
Coming from an Army background, Agrima developed an early fascination with firearms. “Since my father is in the Army, I was always intrigued by guns. Compared to pistol shooting, which is static and indoors, skeet is influenced by weather conditions like wind and rain, which makes it more unpredictable and exciting. I love that challenge,” she said. She is currently being mentored by Olympian Mairaj Ahmed Khan, who represented India in Rio and Tokyo.
Although Agrima was born in Jalandhar, her parents hail from Una in Himachal Pradesh. Choosing to represent Himachal in two consecutive editions of the Khelo India Youth Games was a deliberate decision. “I’ve always felt a deep connection to Himachal. I realized the state often lacks representation in such events, so I wanted to step up and proudly represent my roots,” she explained.
Last year at KIYG Chennai, she placed fifth. But this time, her composure and accuracy under pressure earned her a spot on the podium — a result she had been striving for. “Winning the medal really boosted my self-belief. Now I know that if I’ve done it once, I can do it again. My father always reminds me — take one shot at a time, don’t overthink, just stay focused on what’s next. That’s exactly the approach Mr. Bindra followed too!” she said.
Agrima’s current focus is to secure a spot in the National Junior Squad and bring home medals from upcoming World Cup events. But beyond that, she also hopes to meet Abhinav Bindra in person one day. “I’d likely be speechless, but I’d definitely thank him. His journey has been my source of motivation. I’m sure his story has inspired many young athletes like me,” she said.