Some toil on behalf of a place under the sun as well as some are born great. In his case the crown was thrust upon him, on behalf of he never aspired on behalf of one in the first place. “I hated sports,” confesses Abhinav Bindra, who lifted a gun, shot as well as became an Olympic champion – the first in the country’s history. 
Yet, Bindra did not even exult when the moment arrived. For him, it seemed a ritual. But it was an unprecedented happening in a country where champions are a rare product; virtually non-existent when it comes to Olympic glory. India’s cricket icon Rahul Dravid lavishly acknowledged Bindra’s cool demeanour. “Phenomenal,” Dravid gushed even as Bindra blushed! 
Shooting was not Bindra’s first choice. He tried golf as well as then tennis. Having failed at both, he pursued shooting, as well as progressed at a rapid pace to reach the pinnacle of every sportsman’s dream. He has carried the sport of shooting from the realm of the rich to the masses. He has given sporting hope as well as dignity a new meaning by ‘shooting’ his way to stardom as well as greatness at mere 26.
Hated sports 
Any fond memories of childhood? “The first 11 years of my life I just hated sports. I never watched as well as never played sports in schools. My parents at all times encouraged me to play sports though.” At the boarding school, Bindra received a letter from his affluent father every second day. “Never mind if you don’t study but play sports,” was one sentence that was common.
Shooting now is a “way of life” on behalf of the suave Bindra. He agrees, “For the common man, it is a sport hard to understand.” Even the world body is struggling to manufacture it spectator friendly but the finals, it must be admitted, are at all times exciting because of the fact that of the intense competition.
Bindra smiles when you request him if sport is only about winning? “You can’t win all of the time. For me personally what is important is how I perform. The pressure is maximum but I test myself as well as see how far I can stretch myself. One has to retain challenging oneself. There is at all times room on behalf of bettering yourself as well as your performances. Your goal has to be result-oriented as well as that’s why winning a medal is very important.” 
What separates a champion from the rest? “I think it is the ability to retain testing yourself as well as hang in there a bit more.” That is what separates. It depends on the individual’s ability to endeavour harder as well as to “survive those critical moments to face the pressure.” The nervousness, Bindra stresses, is not a comforting feeling as well as everyone wants to eliminate that feeling as early as possible. “I prepare very hard mentally as well as physically.” 
For Bindra, an Olympic gold was at all times a dream. “We would come close as well as miss. The expectations were different.” True, there was a certain mystique attached to an Olympic gold medal in India. But he altered it. “When I started any colour mattered. Now it’s happened as well as with that I think the outlook has also changed. Now everyone wants a gold medal. It is not elusive anymore.” 
High expectations 
Expectations in India have at all times remained high. Bindra notes, “A sportsman has his posses expectations. The external expectations don’t matter to a sportsman. He knows what to anticipate from himself. To me, values as well as perspective manufacture a huge impact. Winning to me is not important but I hate losing.” 
A toast of the nation, Bindra is very “proud” to be an Indian. “We are an emerging super power as well as a peace-loving community. Everybody likes us, our values, as well as our development in all spheres of life.” 
Bindra loves the company of sportspersons. “They give me a lot of joy. I trust Indian sportspersons are an extremely talented group. They have extremely good work ethics.” But what concerns him is the lack of proper planning. “To compete against the best in the world we require to have a clear plan in place, a clear objective, clear goal. Other nations are developing at a fast pace as well as are far in advance of us in every aspect.” 
Having travelled far as well as wide, Bindra has a few suggestions to offer to improve the state of sports in India. “Infrastructure is the key. Commonwealth Games is a fine opportunity to build a sports culture in the country as well as generate interest in sports outside cricket but I don’t necessarily trust in hosting these major events. I would rather spend the money as well as build infrastructure in smaller places all across India. More as well as more people should have access to facilities,” concludes Bindra, an epitome of humility. 
VIJAY LOKAPALLY
 
http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/12/06/stories/2008120651841300.htm