Abhinav Bindra hangs up his gun; bids shooting farewell

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 4

One afternoon, a lazy Chandigarh boy chose to excel in shooting because he did not want to sweat. He went on to win India’s first, and only, individual Olympic gold medal in 2008.

Having just played in his last Olympic Games at Rio, ace shooter Abhinav Bindra — a five-time Olympian, recipient of  Padama Bhushan, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna awards and chairman of the International Shooting Federation's Athletes Committee — bade the sport an emotional farewell at a felicitation function in Delhi on Sunday.

“It has been an emotional journey for me and it's a fulfilling closure for me. It's time to move on and hand over the baton to the young generation,” Bindra said, as he formally announced his retirement.

Rio Games — where he narrowly missed a bronze — gave him the closure he needed.

“At Rio, I finished fourth in the men’s 10M Air Rifle event and couldn't get a medal. I had given it all at the Rio shooting range. But my performance at Rio gave me a great closure: I gave it my best and couldn't have done more. I have always believed in a process driven approach and that's what I did in Rio. I have nothing more to deliver at the range as I hang up my boots.”                        

‘Pushing on’

Pushing his limits constantly was what drove him on.

“My talent lies in working hard and pushing myself to the limit. I have always given preference to hard work and dedication because that is what only can give you the ultimate satisfaction.”

And what will he take back from the shooting range? “Hard work, persistence and giving a task everything you have”.

“I would like the young shooting generation to follow these steps for achieving sporting glory.  Only then the success becomes a real possibility. Thank you all for supporting me and shooting will always remain very close to my heart.”

Bindra began his Olympic journey in the 2000 Sydney Olympics: 18 then, he was the youngest Olympian in the Indian contingent.       

Athens 2004 saw him in the finals, but missed the medal: he was placed seventh, having shot below 100.

What he missed in Athens however came to him in Beijing in 2008: the Games saw him strike gold at the 10M Air Rifle.

In 2012 London Olympics, he disappointingly crashed out in the qualifying rounds.