Beijing Olympics 2008

Abhinav Bindra shoots historic Gold

Abhinav Bindra won India’s first ever individual Olympic gold medal on Monday with a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the men’s 10m air rifle. By doing so, he has created history in the annals of Indian sport as before this all the gold medals that have been won at the Olympics have been in team events, namely hockey.

Bindra had been fourth after qualifying but had a brilliant final round and the Indian hit a near perfect 10.8 on his last shot to pull in front of Henri Hakkinen of Finland, who fell to bronze with a poor final shot, giving way under pressure. Till then, both were tied going in for the final shot after Bindra had just about taken the lead mid way in the round.

“I can’t describe how happy I am,” the ever-calm Bindra told journalists. “It’s the thrill of my life. That’s about it. It’s hard to describe. I just went for it. I knew I was lying fourth. Thankfully it went my way and I just went for it.”
Bindra, who has faced criticism for failing to deliver on the great promise he showed as a child, said he was not thinking about making history in India with a first individual gold medal at the Olympics, something he always wanted.

“I wasn’t thinking of making history. I was two points behind the leaders. I was just trying to shoot good shots. I wanted to shoot well and shoot aggressively. And that’s what I did,” he added. His 10.8 of a possible 10.9 on his final shot sparked loud celebrations from group of fans from India.

Randhir Singh, Indian Olympic Association secretary-general and former shooter who was present at the range, was stricken by nerves as the competition reached its climax.

“I haven’t prayed so much in my life. With the second last shot they tied together and then he (Bindra) shot a 10.8. It couldn’t have got better,” he told reporters.

Bindra won the 2006 world championships and finished seventh in Athens four years ago after he was subdued under immense pressure, he himself commits. Bindra has also been awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award earlier and is now sure to get more riches coming his way and he deserves them.

A gold medallist at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, Bindra became the first Indian to clinch an Olympic berth for Athens 2004 with a bronze medal at the Munich world Championships. He has bravely fought a career-threatening back injury, which forced him out of the Doha Asian Games. He booked his Beijing berth by winning the 2006 World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, also a first by an Indian.

His gold medal has indeed come as a breath of fresh air for the entire country.

To see another video of the presentation ceremony, click here.

Tags: 10m rifle, 2006 world championship, Abhinav Bindra, athens olympics, beijing olympics 2008, indian olympic association, Men's 10m air rifle, online, presentation ceremony, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, randhir singh, shooting, video