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Abhinav Bindra strikes Gold at 2008 Beijing Olympics

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Abhinav Bindra strikes Gold at 2008 Beijing Olympics

India won its first individual Gold medal at the Beijing Olympics today. Abhinav Bindra won the prestigious medal at the 10m Air Rifle event at the Beijing Games.



The 25-yr-old is a Khel Ratna and Arjuna awardee and has won a gold medal in 2002 Commonwealth Games in the pairs event and silver in the individual event. He also got a gold medal in the 2006 World Championship in Zagreb. Winning the solo gold medal at the Beijing Games, makes one recall the time Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won the silver medal in Athens 2004, for Double Trap Shooting.

This is the first time an Indian has won a solo gold medal in any Olympics. And all this amidst a spine injury which hindered his preparations in the run up to the Games.

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A Victory among other Failures

Abhinav's winning has once again got hopes raised for India. As one by one, celebrated athletes like Anjali Bhagwat, Manawit Singh Sandhu and Mansher Singh failed to qualify in the finals, this solo gold medal is truly a victory all were looking for.



What makes all this even more striking is the fact that just a year back Abhinav suffered from a Spine injury which disabled him from even lifting a rifle. He was almost written off by critics. His grit and determination to make a comeback is truly laudable.

As Abhinav shot an overall score of (596+140.5) 700.5 in a thrilling finale which went right down to the last shot, the whole of India rejoiced. The country sees this as the begining and looks forward for more victories. Hopefully, more sportspersons will be encouraged by this feat.

The last time India won a gold was in 1980 at the Moscow Olympics for Hockey. For a country obsessed with Cricket, streaks of victory like these displays how even the most neglected of sports are the ones which actually bring worldwide recognition to India.

Here is wishing Abhinav Bindra, a hearty Congratulations and all the Best!!

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Guide Comments

Common Indian said about 1 year ago:

3 cheers for Abhinav Bindra!!!...we are very proud of you!

abhay said about 1 year ago:

well done abhinav. but we need not to think that we have won a gold but that we have won only one gold

Indian Voyageur said about 1 year ago:

@ Common Indian : hear, hear... cheers!! @abhay : hey, how about a little optimism..everything has a first.. :)

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