Rubina Francis: The Inspiring Journey of India’s Paralympic Shooter

Rubina Francis: The Inspiring Journey of India's Paralympic Shooter

Rubina Francis, a name that is now making waves in the world of Paralympic sports, has shown the world what determination and hard work can achieve. Born in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Rubina’s life has been a remarkable journey of overcoming challenges and pursuing her passion for shooting. Despite being born with a physical disability, she has never let it define her. Instead, she has used it as a stepping stone to reach the heights of success in shooting, representing India on the global stage.

Here is a table with the related information for Rubina Francis:

CategoryDetails
Full NameRubina Francis
Date of BirthNot publicly available
Age25 years (as of 2024)
Place of BirthJabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
HeightNot publicly available
WeightNot publicly available
DisabilityTalipes (Club Foot)
ProfessionPara Shooter
SportShooting (10m Air Pistol)
Training AcademyGun for Glory Academy, Jabalpur
Coach/MentorJai Prakash Nautiyal, Jaspal Rana
Family 
FatherSimon Francis (Mechanic)
MotherNot publicly available
BoyfriendNot publicly available
ChildrenNone
Net WorthNot publicly available
HobbiesShooting, Traveling
InterestsSports, Social Causes
LikesNot publicly available
DislikesNot publicly available
Social Media AccountsNot publicly available
HabitsDedication to practice, Focus on fitness
Favorite Things 
Favorite ActorNot publicly available
Favorite FoodNot publicly available
AchievementsMultiple medals in international competitions, including World Cups and Asian Para Games
InspirationGagan Narang (Olympic Shooter)

Early Life and Challenges

Rubina Francis was born into a lower-middle-class family. Her father, Simon Francis, works as a mechanic. From the beginning, Rubina faced significant challenges due to her condition, talipes, commonly known as club foot. This disorder affects the lower part of the foot, making it difficult to walk, let alone stand steadily. Despite these challenges, Rubina was determined to pursue her dream of becoming a shooter, inspired by her idol, Gagan Narang, an Olympic medallist.

Rubina’s journey in shooting began in 2015. Even though her family faced financial constraints, her father supported her passion wholeheartedly. Recognizing her potential, Rubina joined the Gun for Glory Academy in Jabalpur in 2017. Under the guidance of coaches Jai Prakash Nautiyal and Jaspal Rana, Rubina began to hone her skills and quickly made a name for herself in the shooting community.

From Struggles to Triumph: Rubina Francis Shines in the Paris Paralympics

Breaking Barriers and Achieving Success

Rubina’s early days in shooting were far from easy. Due to her physical condition, she initially struggled with shooting while sitting down, which is a requirement in her category. However, she refused to give up. With relentless practice and determination, she improved her technique and started competing in various national and international events.

Her first major breakthrough came in 2018 during the France World Cup, where she secured a quota for the Paralympics. This was a turning point in her career, proving that her hard work was beginning to pay off. Rubina’s perseverance and talent shone brightly as she continued to excel in her sport.

Achievements and Accolades

Rubina Francis has an impressive list of achievements in her shooting career. Her performance at the Lima 2021 World Cup earned her a Paralympic quota in the P2 category, which paved the way for her to represent India at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Although she finished in 7th place in the P2 – 10m air pistol event, her participation itself was a significant accomplishment.

Rubina continued to build on her success, winning several medals in various competitions. At the 2022 Asian Para Games, she clinched a bronze medal in the P2 – 10m air pistol event. Her success didn’t stop there. In 2023, she won a silver medal in the P2 – 10m air pistol event and a bronze medal in the P5 – Mixed 10m air pistol at the Osijek World Cup.

Her performance at the Changwon World Cup in 2023 was equally impressive, where she secured two silver medals in the P2 (team) – 10m air pistol and P5 – mixed 10m air pistol events, along with a bronze medal in the P2 – 10m air pistol. Rubina’s consistency in delivering strong performances continued at the Changwon World Cup in 2022, where she earned a silver medal in the P2 (team) – 10m air pistol and two bronze medals in the P2 – 10m air pistol and P6 mixed team events.

Rubina’s crowning achievement came at the Chateauroux World Cup in 2022, where she won a gold medal in the P6 Mixed Team event, along with two silver medals in the P2 (Team) – 10m Air Pistol and P5 – Mixed 10m Air Pistol events, and a bronze in the P2 – 10m Air Pistol category.

Rubina Francis Clinches Historic Bronze in Paris Paralympics 2024, Secures India’s Fifth Medal

A Role Model for Many

Rubina Francis’ story is one of incredible determination, resilience, and passion. She has not only overcome her physical challenges but has also risen above the financial constraints that could have easily derailed her dreams. Her success is a testament to the power of perseverance and serves as an inspiration to countless others facing similar challenges.

As Rubina continues to represent India on the global stage, she remains a symbol of hope and determination for all those who dare to dream, no matter the obstacles in their path.