Kynan’s Thrilling Shooting Performance:
Kynan Darius Chenai didn’t have much time to revel in his victory. Shortly after securing a bronze medal in the Trap Men’s final at the ongoing Asian Games, he boarded a flight back to Hyderabad. For Kynan, celebration means being with his family and sharing a meal. “I find joy in sitting down for a nice meal with my family,” says Kynan, the Indian trap shooter, during an interview with Hyderabad Chronicle.
The Indian men’s team, including Kynan Chenai, Prithviraj Tondaiman, and Zoravar Singh Sandhu, clinched the gold medal with an Asian Games record score of 361 in the qualification round. Both Chenai and Zoravar also qualified for the six-shooter finals, raising hopes of a gold-silver finish. However, it resulted in Kynan winning an individual bronze, while Zoravar finished in fifth place.
“We had ample time to adjust to the weather and lighting conditions, which helped me maintain my focus,” mentions Chenai, who topped the qualification round and contributed to the team’s gold medal win. The remaining two teammates also delivered outstanding performances. I didn’t expect to win, but I aimed for it,” he says with a smile.
During a part of the competition, Kynan held the second spot, hitting 18 out of 20 targets, while Zoravar scored 17 out of 20. However, both shooters experienced a downturn, with Zoravar being eliminated after hitting 23 out of 30 targets, and Chenai n narrowly missing out on a medal.
I thrive in high-pressure situations, and the Asian Games presented one of those demanding contests. It’s a collective team effort that brought us the gold. In the finals, the margin for error is minimal, making it challenging,” explains the 32-year-old shooter, who is delighted to return with a medal.
Kynan used a Perazzi shotgun, known for its top-tier Italian craftsmanship and high cost.
Kynan primarily trains in Hyderabad and occasionally joins an international coach, David Kostelecki, a two-time Olympic Games medalist who resides in the Czech Republic, whenever circumstances allow.
Kynan comes from a well-known Parsi family; his father, Darius Chenai, a businessman, was a former national shooting champion, and his mother, Dinaz Noria, is a renowned wedding decor designer.
Introduced to the sport by his father at the age of 12, Kynan initially took up shooting for fun, but it gradually evolved into an obsession by the time he turned 16. He attended Hebron, a boarding school in Ooty, for 10 years and was actively involved in various sports, including field hockey, football, and freestyle swimming, but eventually, shooting became his main focus. Later, he pursued higher studies at Brunel University in London.
Looking ahead, Kynan has his sights set on qualifying for the Paris Olympics in 2024. He secured a victory in the Asia Olympic qualifiers held in Delhi in January 2016 and also competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, where he finished 19th in the men’s Trap event.
Kynan enjoys playing video games but limits his screen time to once a week due to concerns about eye health. His primary focus remains on his shooting, with fitness being a top priority. He attributes his fitness regimen to Dr. Matthew Zane, who not only designs his fitness programs but also monitors his workouts daily.
Outside of shooting, Chenai and his father often go camping, and he can also be spotted on the shooting range or playing football with friends.
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