Diet secrets of ace shooter Vikram Bhatnagar as he prepares for the Commonwealth Games

I t is difficult to imagine that a shooter could be vegetarian. So when Commonwealth Games' silver medallist and national double trap champion Vikram Bhatnagar says he is vegetarian on Mondays and Tuesdays, it comes as a pleasant surprise.

Vikram agrees that traditionally, shooting owes its roots to bloodlust and military sports, but his case is different. Vikram, son of an educationist, took to shooting when he was in his late 20s.

Expensive sport

“Shooting is one of the most expensive sports. So mostly sons of marksmen and army officers opt for the sport — or your father should fund you.” He didn't want to go for the last option. “I decided to go for shooting only when I became independent.” Ordering a tandoori platter, Vikram delves deeper.“See, this is the most objective sport. Here, no influence can work. Either you have hit the bull's eye or not. The results are self-explanatory.” Taking a bite of paneer tikka, Vikram analyses the demands of the game. “As it is a mind sport and the brain is one of the most calorie-hungry organs of the body, two-three days before the event I take a carbohydrate and protein-rich diet. I avoid Chinese food because it contains monosodium glutamate. It is said to affect beta receptors which help in maintaining concentration.”

Chinese food

Talking of Chinese food makes Vikram recalls his experience in China, when during the Navratras his friends made him visit a restaurant. .

“We were expected to pick an animal of their choice and hand it over to the chef. “Such concepts create revulsion to non-vegetarian food,” says Vikram, digging deep into the greenery of vegetarian momos. Not a frequent visitor to the kitchen, Vikram says he knows the basics and won't die of hunger. “My speciality is French toast. I make it quite well,” he insists.