The COVID-19 pandemic almost ended many sportspersons’ career due to lockdown and shutdown. However, Bengaluru shooter Tejas Krishna Prasad who was selected for Tokyo Olympics decided to use the lockdown in the best way possible.
He turned the lockdown into a blessing and made the best use of pursuing his dream of becoming a civil servant. His hard work has paid off and the air rifle marksman has cleared the Civil Services Exam with an impressive AIR-243.
Speaking to TOI, Tejas said, “Being a sportsperson helped me to stay focused and crack the civil services on my second attempt. Based on last year’s cut-off I think I will get IAS, which is my first choice. Even during the interview questions revolved mostly about sports.”
He added, “I was asked about my shooting career, how we can improve sports in India. One of my hobbies was reading autobiographies of athletes, so the chairperson asked if I had read the book ‘Open’ – Andre Agassi’s autobiography.”
“The interview went on for about 25 minutes but the members of the panel headed by Sheel Vardhan Singh were cordial and it was nothing like what you saw in ‘12th Fail,” Tejas added.
Inspired by his mother, an excise inspector, who was a hobby shooter, Tejas an alumni of Sri Kumaran Public School and RV College from where he completed his BE and entered into shooting.
When asked if he would continue shooting after becoming an IAS officer, Tejas said, “Of course I will do it.”