For Olympian Anjum Moudgil, it’s all in the mind

Chandigarh: When Olympian Anjum Moudgil's eyes lock on the target, the world melts into a void. It is a moment of zen stillness for the two-time Olympic shooter, a liminal space between victory and heartbreak. As someone who has represented India on the biggest platforms of the world for over 16 years, she knows that the perfect shot comes from a steady hand, held still by an unruffled mind. "Initially, as a beginner, it is the technical part of the sport that matters most. But as you grow, the psychological part takes over. Managing expectations becomes the real challenge. You can always work on your technique, but mental training helps you handle pressures that change at every level," she says. Moudgil's reflections on the mental strength which enables physical training underline the relevance of World Mental Health Day.Resistance training & strengthOver the years, Moudgil has worked closely with sports psychologists, who she credits with helping her evolve beyond technical mastery. "Working with a sports psychologist really helps get a different perspective. Sometimes your judgement is clouded when you're in the middle of training or competition. These sessions help widen your thought process, you start seeing new ways to find solutions," she explains. Mental strength isn't just about confidence; it encompasses clarity, the ability to remain composed and make right decisions in peak pressure.As any athlete knows, strength comes from resistance. Moudgil says this golden rule of physical training is also true for mental training. "Mental toughness and focus come as a consequence of facing failures. The lows teach you the most," she observes. She recalls how simple breathing and focus exercises have helped her regain control during crucial moments. "Especially in the last few shots of a match, breathing techniques help calm my pulse," she says. "That's where focus training truly shows results. My Olympic qualification and other medals are all outcomes of mental toughness."Changing perceptionsHaving been in the sport for more than a decade and a half, Moudgil has witnessed a clear shift in how athletes perceive mental health. "Now, mental training is finally getting the attention it deserves. Social media has helped a lot in this. Earlier, there was less awareness because athletes didn't have many platforms to share their experiences. Today, people talk openly, and that helps the entire ecosystem improve," she says. Before every competition, Moudgil follows a mental routine as disciplined as her shooting practice. "In high-pressure situations, I focus on my breathing to calm my nerves. Self-talk is also very helpful, it helps counter the thoughts that creep in before taking a shot," she says, adding that mental preparation is not just about silencing the mind, but steering it in the right direction. "The thoughts will come," she smiles, "but how you deal with them decides the outcome," she says, smiling. To upcoming athletes, Moudgil's message is that mental training is not optional; it's essential. "No matter how much you train physically, focusing on the mental side changes everything," she says.