Abhinav Bindra: Defining moments of India’s shooting legend

Abhinav Bindra, the legendary Indian shooter and the country's first individual Olympic gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, inspired millions of Indians with his remarkable career.

Bindra, who took up shooting at the age of 15, went on to achieve immense success, including an Olympic gold and a World Championship title. Over his illustrious career, he also won seven medals at the Commonwealth Games and three at the Asian Games.

In total, Bindra has secured more than 150 medals and received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan from the Government of India in 2009.

As the legend celebrates his 42nd birthday on September 28, The Bridge revisits the major milestones and achievements of his illustrious career.

2006 World Championship gold

Bindra claimed the gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle event at the 2006 World Championships, with an impressive total score of 699.1.

This victory marked his first major individual title, making him the first Indian rifle shooter to win a gold medal at the World Championships.

What made this win even more remarkable was that Bindra was returning from a long injury layoff. Despite the setback, he delivered his best performance to become a world champion for the first time.

2008 Olympic Games gold

Bindra continued his excellent run of form at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by winning the gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle event, with a total score of 700.5.

Competing in his third Olympics, Bindra finally broke through, winning not only his first Olympic medal but also a prestigious gold. This victory became one of the most iconic moments in Indian sports history, as he became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal

Bindra also made history by becoming the first Indian to hold both World Championship and Olympic titles concurrently within the same Olympic cycle, showcasing his immense calibre.

So close to a second Olympic medal

Bindra came agonizingly close to winning a second Olympic medal at the 2016 Rio Games, making a heartbreaking fourth-place finish in the final of the 10m air rifle event.

Competing in his fifth Olympics, Bindra had an outstanding run throughout the tournament but narrowly missed out on what could have been another prestigious medal. Nevertheless, his remarkable consistency in reaching multiple Olympic finals served as a powerful inspiration for other Indian athletes.

After the Rio Olympics, Bindra brought the curtain down on his illustrious career, leaving behind a lasting legacy and setting a high benchmark for emerging shooters. His name remains etched among the greatest in Indian sporting history.

Major individual medals won by Bindra

2008 Olympic Games- Gold Medal

2006 World Championships - Gold Medal

2014 Commonwealth Games - Gold Medal

2002 Commonwealth Games - Silver Medal

2010 Commonwealth Games - Silver medal

2014 Asian Games - Bronze Medal

2006 Commonwealth Games - Bronze medal

Major Awards

2000 – Arjuna Award

2002 – Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

2009 – Padma Bhushan

2011 – Made an honorary lieutenant colonel by the Indian Territorial Army

2018 – Blue Cross, the highest shooting honor by the ISSF

2024 – Olympic Order, the highest honor by the International Olympic Committee