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2008 Olympics>Out of the Spotlight: True Olympians>Miracles Happened in Beijing
UPDATED: August-25-2008 Web Exclusive
Country: India
Date: August 11
Gold medallist: Abhinav Singh Bindra
Sport: Shooting -- Men's 10m Air Rifle
 

India clinched its first-ever individual Olympic gold medal in 108 years when Abhinav Bindra won the 10 meter air rifle event in one of the most pulsating shooting finals in the history of the world's biggest sporting extravaganza.

The historic victory for the 25-year-old pro from Chandigarh came against heavy odds as he entered the event ranked number 17 in the world and pitted against Athens Olympic champion Zhu Qinan of China and Henri Hakkinen of Finland, both rated much higher than him.

But Bindra proved that reputation and history counted little as he overcame a two-point deficit against Zhu and Haikkinen after the qualifying round and annexed the title.

Bindra emerged triumphant in the 10-shot final with a finish of 104.5, taking his tally of points to 700.5 as against Zhu's silver winning performance of 699.7 (597+102.7) and 699.4 (598+101.4) by Hakkinen, which gave the Finn Army marksman the bronze. It brought India the first-ever gold medal by an individual since the country first participated in the Olympics in 1900.

The businessman from Chandigarh also ended India's wait for a gold since the hockey team collected gold in the Moscow Olympics in 1980.

"It can't be better than this. Can it?" an elated but composed Bindra said, soon after achieving the feat.

"I sincerely hope my medal changes the face of India's Olympic sports," the bespectacled shooter told reporters.

"For me, life will go on as usual, but I sincerely hope Olympic sports get a leg-up. It's not a priority back home and I hope more focus is paid to events like shooting," he said.

Bindra, whose career at one stage was jeopardized by a nagging back injury, said it was not easy to keep motivated.

"I worked hard, left home and trained in Germany. It only proves that if you keep working hard, you would have your day someday and fortunately, it was my day today.

"My parents, family and coaches stood by me all along and I owe it to them," he said.

Profile of Abhinav Singh Bindra

Date of Birth: Sep. 28, 1982

Height (cm/ft in): 173cm / 5'8"

Weight (kg/lbs): 65 kg / 143 lbs

Place of Birth: Dehra Dun, India

Residence: Chandigarh, India

Sport: Shooting

Event: Men's 10m Air Rifle

(Compiled from Agencies via Express India, August 11, 2008; and BOCOG)


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