ABHINAV BINDRA created history on Monday morning (August 11) when he won India’s first ever individual gold medal in Men’s 10 metre Air Rifle Shooting Competition in Beijing Olympics. Bindra shot a total score of 700.5. Bindra scored a massive 10.8 in the finals and that is something unthinkable. This is India’s first gold medal after a gold medal in hockey in 1980 Moscow Olympics.
In the ten rounds, Bindra shot 10.7, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5, 10.6, 10.0, 10.2 and 10.8 to clinch the gold. Bindra started the finals in third position but improved his performance and consistently shot well to claim the first place defeating China’s Qinan Zhu. Finland’s Henri Hakkinen faltered on the final shot and finished third.
The 25-year old lad from the capital is also Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee. He finished joint-fourth with Romania’s George Alin Moldoveanu in the qualification round. The duo had a score of 596/600. The drought of gold medals for India is over. Bindra has made the entire nation proud. The feeling of national anthem being played at Beijing is thrilling for the country. The entire country erupted in joy and celebrations when the reports of his great victory flashed across the television channels. Emotions are high in India, as tearful people welcomed this great news.
This gold will prove to be morale booster for the entire Indian contingent and we might have many more medals heading our way.
Image Courtesy: http://www.hinduonnet.com/…/20060819007703601.jpg
Jai Hind: Proud to be an Indian 
