PARIS: When shooter Abhinav Bindra broke India’s 28-year-old gold jinx in the Olympics in 2008, it became a moment to savour for every sports fan in the country. It was followed up by two more medals in London, but since then Indian shooters have drawn a blank. The disappointment of Rio and Tokyo has kept haunting us and if India are to come close to their tally of seven medals in the last Olympics, the shooters have to start firing on all cylinders in Paris.
It’s a 21-strong shooting contingent competing in all 15 events and all eyes will be on pistol queen Manu Bhaker at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre near the French capital. She is taking part in three events — women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team. Her failure in Tokyo keeps cropping up but coach Jaspal Rana doesn’t want to pay too much attention to it, as she prepares to take the range for her qualification event in the 10m air pistol on Saturday.
“Tokyo is history. Manu is ready for anything and she is full of positive energy. Everything is in the hands of someone up there,” Rana told TOI here on Friday.
If the 22-year-old makes the final, that will be on Sunday. For the opening day, experts feel there is every chance that India will start with a bang in the 10m air rifle mixed team event.
India will have two entries in Sandeep Singh and Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta and Ramita Jindal.
“Except for Manu, every Indian shooter starts as an underdog. And that means less pressure, which is in contrast to what it used to be when the Bindras, Narangs and Sodhis started as favourites,” former world champion Ronjan Sodhi told TOI.
Of the 21 Indian shooters, only four — Manu, Elavenil, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Anjum Moudgil — have competed in Olympics before while the rest of the contingent will be making their debut in the high-pressure, high-expectation event. That could also be a blessing in disguise as they are getting into the range without the burden of expectations.
What’s also working in India’s favour is the overflow of shooting talent in the country.
Seven shooters, including world champion rifle shooter Rudrankksh Patil and trap shooter Bhowneesh Mendiratta, who bagged the quota places, lost out in the trials and their places went to seven in-form shooters.
While Manu will be the centre of attention, there’s hope around Asian Games champion Sift Kaur Samra (women’s 50m rifle 3 position) and teen pistol shooter Esha Singh, who won four medals at Hangzhou Asian Games.
Among the men, pistol shooters Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Cheema are both capable of challenging the best in the business. Also watch out for the Indian team in the mixed skeet event comprising Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Maheswari Chauhan.
Gagan Narang, India’s chef de mission and a bronze medal winner in 10m air rifle category in 2012, summed up the mood.
“Things have changed since our times. These days the athletes come to the Olympics with the belief that they can win gold medals, participation isn’t the only aim,” Narang said.
It’s on the current crop to ensure that by the time the shooting events wind up on August 5, the former great’s words don’t ring hollow.
It’s a 21-strong shooting contingent competing in all 15 events and all eyes will be on pistol queen Manu Bhaker at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre near the French capital. She is taking part in three events — women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team. Her failure in Tokyo keeps cropping up but coach Jaspal Rana doesn’t want to pay too much attention to it, as she prepares to take the range for her qualification event in the 10m air pistol on Saturday.
“Tokyo is history. Manu is ready for anything and she is full of positive energy. Everything is in the hands of someone up there,” Rana told TOI here on Friday.
If the 22-year-old makes the final, that will be on Sunday. For the opening day, experts feel there is every chance that India will start with a bang in the 10m air rifle mixed team event.
India will have two entries in Sandeep Singh and Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta and Ramita Jindal.
“Except for Manu, every Indian shooter starts as an underdog. And that means less pressure, which is in contrast to what it used to be when the Bindras, Narangs and Sodhis started as favourites,” former world champion Ronjan Sodhi told TOI.
Of the 21 Indian shooters, only four — Manu, Elavenil, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Anjum Moudgil — have competed in Olympics before while the rest of the contingent will be making their debut in the high-pressure, high-expectation event. That could also be a blessing in disguise as they are getting into the range without the burden of expectations.
What’s also working in India’s favour is the overflow of shooting talent in the country.
Seven shooters, including world champion rifle shooter Rudrankksh Patil and trap shooter Bhowneesh Mendiratta, who bagged the quota places, lost out in the trials and their places went to seven in-form shooters.
While Manu will be the centre of attention, there’s hope around Asian Games champion Sift Kaur Samra (women’s 50m rifle 3 position) and teen pistol shooter Esha Singh, who won four medals at Hangzhou Asian Games.
Among the men, pistol shooters Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Cheema are both capable of challenging the best in the business. Also watch out for the Indian team in the mixed skeet event comprising Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Maheswari Chauhan.
Gagan Narang, India’s chef de mission and a bronze medal winner in 10m air rifle category in 2012, summed up the mood.
“Things have changed since our times. These days the athletes come to the Olympics with the belief that they can win gold medals, participation isn’t the only aim,” Narang said.
It’s on the current crop to ensure that by the time the shooting events wind up on August 5, the former great’s words don’t ring hollow.
You may also like
Outlander fans suggest solution to Droughtlander including 'great series' to watch instead
Amy Dowden dazzles in BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2024 trailer as show glosses over controversies
Five in six pensioners below the poverty line set to lose Winter Fuel Payment
Tony Blair sends stark warning to Keir Starmer over UK's standing
