Historically, India have not fared well in the pistol events at the Olympic Games. From Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s silver medal in the men’s double-trap event, Abhinav Bindra’s gold in the 10 metre air rifle in Beijing 2008 to Gagan Narang’s bronze at the London Olympics, India’s star shone brightly in rifle and trap.
It was only Vijay Kumar who got a silver in pistol — in the 25 metre rapid fire — 12 years ago in London.
Now, this Olympic Games is turning out to be a breakaway competition for the
Indian pistol shooters. Thanks to Manu Bhaker (individual and mixed team) and Sarabjot Singh.
“It’s 3-2 in pistol’s favour,” joked Narang, the chef de mission here, on Tuesday.
“The mentality, the talent pool. A lot of things come into play. These youngsters have no fear, they remain ice cool even when chips are down,” former Armyman Vijay Kumar, now a DSP with Himachal Pradesh Police, told The Telegraph. “There must be a mention of the government support too. The Khelo India project gives us a huge pool of talent at our disposal,” Vijay said.
Both Manu and Sarabjot have participated in the present government’s flagship project, Khelo India.
There have been some outstanding pistol shooters from India like Jaspal Rana (the man who groomed Manu), Samaresh Jung and Jitu Rai. They were medal winners in the Asian Games as well at the Commonwealth Games. They were names to be reckoned with.
“When a shooter goes to a coach, he or she chooses the category the coach is good at. So when you go to a rifle coach obviously, you will start with the rifle,” Narang reasoned. “There is no pistol versus rifle. It’s shooting in the hole.”
Both Narang and Vijay agreed that the success in Paris would give a huge boost to the game. “It has to,” Vijay was confident.
“I think the entire sports (fraternity) in India will have an effect, not just shooting. For example, after PV Sindhu’s success, kids took up shooting since badminton academies were full in Hyderabad,” Narang, who runs the Gun For Glory Academy in the city of the Nizams, said.
“It’s a chain reaction,” agreed Vijay.
In Haryana, children took to javelin after world and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra’s success. Abhinav Bindra’s gold in Beijing had a similar effect on shooting. Viswanathan Anand singlehandedly put India on the chess world map and now we have the likes of D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi taking on the big guns, Magnus Carlsens and Hikaru Nakamuras.
Two-time bronze medallist Manu was asked on Tuesday if she has now attained legendary status in India. “I do not know whether I am now a legend in women’s shooting. But I will be happy if these medals enthuse youngsters to take up the game.”
Narang felt she already has. “Definitely. Two medals at a single Games. It’s a huge thing. She will now be idolised in India. She is a star now,” Narang said.
