The 10m air rifle shooting event attracted Olympic viewers. Apart from the close contests, one of the reasons is the shooting jacket that looks like a fictional character. The jackets worn by the shooters at the Olympics aren’t just a piece of clothing. In shooting, the jackets play a crucial role in providing balance to the shooters and enhancing performance. It has been noticed that 10m air rifle shooting has seen comparatively higher scoring in recent Olympics. Without a doubt, the modern jacket does have a role in it. But who manufactures these jackets? The answer is the Indian company Capapie.
When you see a “10.9” logo on the shooter jacket, it’s a Capapie-manufactured jacket. Caparpie is a French word that means a warrior, ready for battle and covered from top to bottom with armor.
Who manufactures the jacket
Capapie is a Thane-based company started in the late 1990s. In just a few years, the company gained recognition at the international level because of its shooting jacket. Capapie was founded by Nilesh Rane, a former shooter with a vision of creating high-quality shooting gear that players can rely on.
Before Capapie, most of the top shooters used to wear German-manufactured gear. The beginners used to wear local brands, that had low precision. Apart from that, it was a challenge to find affordable, well-fitted jackets. Nilesh Rane realized the gap in the market and decided to fill it. He wanted to create shooting gear with high precision that could be customized.
Nilesh himself was a top Indian shooter. He set a then national record score of 1136 in the 50m rifle-prone three-positions event. Undoubtedly, he is the best person to understand consumer requirements and thus create a product.
Impact at the Olympics
During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, about 70% of rifle shooters used Capapie jackets. These statistics prove the brand’s influence on the sport. Shooters who used Capapie Jackets secured eight out of fifteen medals in rifle events, which also includes four golds. These impressive results made the brand more popular among shooters. According to reports, in the 2024 Paris Olympics, approximately 90% of shooters were wearing Capapie jackets. This shows the brand’s growing dominance in international shooting.
Features of Capapie Jackets
Capapie jackets had features that made them unique from regular sportswear:
Custom Fit: Each jacket undergoes meticulous tailoring to ensure a snug fit. This customization allows athletes to perform at their best.
Innovative Materials: The jackets use a patented stiff material that minimizes movement. Consequently, shooters can maintain a steady aim, which is important for precision.
Innovative Materials: The jackets use a patented stiff material that minimizes movement. Consequently, shooters can maintain a steady aim, which is important for precision.
Compliance with ISSF Standards: Capapie jackets meet strict International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) regulations. This ensures that athletes can use them in competitive settings without any issues.
Performance Enhancement: Capapie jackets help shooters stabilize posture. As a result, athletes gain better control and accuracy when aiming at small targets.
Cultural Significance and Future Prospects
Capapie’s most important service is customized products. Shooting gear is expensive, and young shooters who see body changes while growing up can’t afford to buy a new one. Nilesh Rane being a shooter wanted young shooters to show up. Hence he decided to provide customized service without any cost. This resulted in the increasing craze of shooting sports in India. Young athletes take more interest in shooting, and Rane’s jackets have an important role in this.
Conclusion
The journey of Rane from a national-level shooter to a leading manufacturer of shooting apparel is unique and inspiring. His passion for the sport and commitment to quality have transformed competitive shooting in India. Moreover, he proved that Indian manufacturers could equally contribute to sports innovation.
