Rahi trigger happy again after neuro-muscular memory loss
Hindustan Times Mumbai|December 22, 2024
A harrowing spell of neuropathic pain behind her, the pistol ace finds her way back into competition
Shantanu Srivastava

NEW DELHI: Rahi Sarnobat recalls that autumn day of 2022 with clarity. Indian shooters, following a medalless Tokyo Olympics campaign a year before, were gearing up for the Cairo World Championships and Rahi, still carrying the scars of Tokyo, couldn't wait for the first Olympic qualifier of the new cycle.

One morning in the lead-up to the competition, Rahi woke up with no control of her right leg. "I couldn't move the leg the way I wanted to, and there was this constant tingling pain. I didn't even know which specialist to approach, who to talk to" she says. It was just the start of a harrowing 18 months for the ace pistol shooter.

Diagnosed with neuropathic pain syndrome, Rahi felt "a million different sensations" all over her body, "from my eyelashes to my toe". The shooting range and the World Championships were pushed to the backburner as her physical and mental health became Rahi's only concern.

"The pain was unbearable. There are no words to describe it. All of a sudden, there would be a tingling sensation in my leg, then there would be a sharp, needling pain in my arms, then a stabbing pain in my back. It felt endless, horrible and scary."

This story is from the December 22, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Mumbai.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 22, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Mumbai.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HINDUSTAN TIMES MUMBAIView All
Hindustan Times Mumbai

Nature is pure magic, and I feel incomplete without my camera

Raveena Tandon's passion for photography is rooted in her love for wildlife.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Mumbai

Fulton focuses on World Cup qualification

Craig Fulton had a short chat with Graham Reid before taking his seat in an empty Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here to watch Delhi SG Pipers' practice in the morning.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Mumbai

Abhi-Ash vacation together, put divorce rumours to rest

The better part of 2024 had fans speculating over the divorce of actors Abhishek Bachchan (48) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (51).

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Mumbai

Haaland fires brace as Manchester City rout West Ham; Chelsea held

Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City pummelled West Ham 4-1 in the Premier League on Saturday while Newcastle inflicted another painful defeat on Ange Postecoglou's struggling Tottenham.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Mumbai

Saikia, Bhatia Set to Become BCCI Secretary and Treasurer

Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia filed nominations for the posts of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary and treasurer respectively and are set to be elected unopposed in the Special General Meeting (SGM) to be held in Mumbai on January 12.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Mumbai

Pant breaks free; Bumrah injures back

Fast bowler awaits scan results and he will be key if India are to win SCG Test after southpaw's blitz puts his team 145 ahead

time-read
6 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Mumbai

Shooters suffer due to faulty equipment at New Delhi range

Shooters are paying the price for faulty equipment at the Karni Singh range here, where the National Championships are being held.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Mumbai

Kohli exits in rage, maybe for one last time in Australia

For a while on Day 2 of the Sydney Test, it felt like the clock had stopped.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Mumbai

Perfect storm in Sydney raises India's hopes

Right until Rishabh Pant walked out to bat on Saturday, wickets had been the order of the day in the Sydney Test.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Mumbai

Not retiring, sat out of the final Test for the team, says Rohit

Was it a good decision? Was it the right decision? Who took it? Did he opt out? Was he forced out? Will he call it quits? The questions had been never-ending and with the Indian cricket team working in its regular secret service mode, there was no way to know the real answers to them. In a way, this Sydney Test has been about Rohit Sharma without him actually playing a part in it.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025