Hoping for medals from youngsters, I am tired of being the only gold medalist shooter — Abhinav Bindra

Year 2019 was a memorable one for the Indian shooting contingent. Among other achievements, they topped the all Rifle-Pistol World Cup and that helped in increasing their Olympics quota to 15 members.

Abhinav Bindra, the face of India’s shooting landscape, is hoping that one among the young turks will replicate his feat from the Beijing 2008 Olympics where he won a gold medal in the men's 10 meter air rifle. Bindra till date is the country’s only individual gold-medallist at the Games.

“The depth of talent in our country and the support has increased tremendously. A lot of the athletes are going to be 16, 17-year olds when they make their Olympic debut and they have a realistic shot at winning medals at the Games, which says something,” Bindra told the ‘Olympic Channel’.

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The current crop of shooters who have won accolades at various world events are all young. For Bindra it is remarkable.

“At such a young age, to reach an elite level means that they are really, really talented.They have been winning top competitions across the world and each one of them has what it takes (to win in Olympics). So I have my fingers crossed. I do hope they will come back with some gold medals and join me because I am tired of being the only one.” added the 37-year-old.

India opened its account at the 2008 Summer Olympics courtesy to Bindra's gold. It was also the country’s first gold medal since 1980 when the Men's Field Hockey team blanked Spain 4-3 in Moscow.

In the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, Bindra finished fourth in the finals and two months later, announced his retirement from the sport. That same year, he was also appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for Rio 2016 Olympics Indian Contingent by the Indian Olympics Association (IOA).

On 30 November 2018, Bindra won the the prestigious Blue Cross, the ISSF’s highest shooting honour. Bindra currently is a member of the board of advisors for GoSports Foundation.