Faiyaz, meanwhile, had spurned the possibility of cultivating the family’s four-hectare farm, and given up on studying agriculture. About Faratade’s going away, his elder brother Ashok, a guard with the CRPF, fighting Naxalism in Chhattisgarh said, “It has been difficult for his parents, seeing him go away at a very young age. For two years at a stretch he hasn’t met his parents, and has only spoken to them on the phone.”

In Charhata, there are two traditions, both of which Navanath broke away from.

The hamlet of 3,000 has produced some 200 kabaddi players, with many taking up the game with an eye on state government jobs. Then there are those who join the police or paramilitary — almost every house has a male member in uniform.

But with a talent scout spotting him, Faratade was taken away for training at Krida Prabodhini, a range in Kolhapur.

‘‘For a long time, my friends would think shooting was film shooting,’’ the 20-year-old shooting wonder jokes.

‘‘But Prabodhini gave me a good opportunity to beat poverty. Now, I want to take charge of my parents’ well-being,’’ he says.

Having thrived on hardships, Faratade isn’t really weary of the crowded field in air-rifle shooting in India with top-shots like Gagan Narang and Abhinav Bindra. Says his coach Ajit Patil, ‘‘What he achieved in Zagreb is owing to adversity, not really despite it. Now, he has to build on consistency bit-by-bit. We expect results only in the 2010 Commonwealth and the 2012 Olympics, but his exceptional drive will take him through.’’

... contd.