Indian grandma 'world's oldest women sharpshooter' at 78

A 78-year-old Indian woman is believed to be the world’s oldest female professional sharpshooter.

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Chandro Tomar has entered and won over 25 national championships across India as well as raising six children and 15 grandchildren.

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“I wanted to do something useful with my life and show people my capabilities,” the Daily Mail quoted her as saying.

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“As soon as I shot my first pistol I was hooked. And now I’ve shown everyone there’s no disadvantages to my age. If you’re focused you can do anything,” she said.

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Almost ten years ago Tomar took her granddaughter to a local firing range in Johri village, in Uttar Pradesh, India.

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She wanted to learn a new skill but was too shy to go alone. In the end it was Tomar who was welcomed into the club with open arms.

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“As I was waiting around I decided to have a go. The coach spotted me and was amazed at my aim.

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“He told me to come back so I did. Initially I was just supporting my granddaughter but I enjoyed it so much it became a passion and I looked forward to going to the club every week,” she said.

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While Tomar tended to her daily chores on her farm and raised her family, she practiced her aim whenever she could using stones and throwing them at water bottles.

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“I was surprised when I saw a pensioner in our group but she picked it up pretty quickly,” the club’s coach, Farooq Pathan, who set up the shooting club with two friends in 1998, said.

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“She was so good some of the men stopped turning up altogether to avoid being humiliated by her, a old woman. She has the ultimate skill, a steady hand and a sharp eye,” he said.

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Now she’s a national treasure, known throughout India for her skill, even winning gold at the Veteran Shooting Championship held in Chennai.

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