Traditionally archers, Bhutanese gun for glory in shooting

In the tiny Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas' eastern edge, they don't see guns and pistol replacing bows and arrows in foreseeable future, but the Bhutanese are seeking to make a mark in the Olympic sport of shooting, gradually.
In Kunzang Choden, the country had its lone participant in shooting at the London Olympic Games four years ago.
The Bhutanese had, in Kunzang Lenchu, the only representative in the sport to look up to at the 2014 Asian Games.
They were both eliminated in the qualification rounds in London as well in the Korean city of Incheon.
While qualifying for the Olympics was a creditable effort considering the lack of success, the failure to make the finals cut at the biggest sporting extravaganza could not dampen their spirit.

Archery is Bhutan's traditional as well as national sport. The shooters acknowledge India's growing influence in shooting world and are ready to look upto them.

"We hear about Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang, they are big names and we look up to them. India is much better than us," Tandin said.
Though just 31 years of age, Choden, her wards say, has quit active shooting and taken to coaching.
As the 23-year-old Lenchu and 27-year-old Tandin Pema brace up to try their luck at the Asian Shooting Championship in November -- the last qualifying event for next year's Rio Olympic Games -- they are banking on the experience of their coach Choden, who will accompany the two to Kuwait.

"I have participated at the Asian Games in Korea, and I will try to shoot well in Kuwait and represent Bhutan in the Olympics," Lenchu said.
"We had one Olympian in Kunzang Choden who was there in London. We would love to emulate her," Lenchu added.
Lenchu and Tandin will compete in women's and men's 10m air rifle event, respectively, in Kuwait.
Asked about shooting in their country, Tandin said they have only one small range in Thimpu, and make do with that.
"We go there for our training and that is the only range we have."
The modest shooters said the Bhutan Shooting Federation "provides" ammunitions to them.

Prince His Royal Highness Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, who is also the President of Bhutan Shooting Federation and the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC), encourages the shooters as he is interested in the sport.