‘Build a cold-weather shooting range’

One of the most important factors that made a difference in London was the weather. I think India urgently needs a shhooting range in an all-year cold climate area. India has all sorts of climate patterns across its length and breadth,so it shouldn’t be difficult. 90 per cent of our competitions are held in cold-weather places in Europe where the temperatures are 15-20 degrees and shooting there is quite another proposition,and especially for outdoor events like 50m. We went to London in March when it was 5 degrees,and needed a shawl! But we’d never shot before in training in that weather. All this needs is thinking and some common sense. Why do you think people feel the need to go train abroad,even after coaches are prepared to come here. It’s the conditions. In India,we have the suitable weather in the north,but no range built there.

Q. How were the days immediately after the medal?

The day after – I just wanted to rest and eat. I was happy of course,since I’d won an Olympic medal in my very first outing. But there was 7-8 years of hard work behind that medal,with 6 hours training daily. All those years,I didn’t attend any party or functions. The best messages came from people who were with me when I started shooting first 8 years ago or classmates from school,but with whom I’d lost contact. It was good to hear from them. It felt good when celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachhan tweeted about it. When I returned home,it was after 1.5 years.

Q. Just how difficult is it to stay focussed in a final.

I like to keep it uncomplicated. When you fire,you focus on technique,and you’re simply in a bubble of concentration. But there was no doubt in my head. It’s all about reflexes and mental toughness. Army training helps you control your heartbeat. It’s not easy when people start cheering because you have to stay calm. But you need to learn to ignore the distractions. I’d shot in many finals,so I was ready for that. At London,there was a six-time world record holder there,and someone who was in his fourth Olympics,I couldn’t allow myself to be affected by that because anyway we have only 4 seconds to shoot. I just told myself,’beta,sprint maaro.’ and shot.

Q. Did the injury affect you?

Yes,the shoulder was hampering my lifting. The muscles were tight.

Q. Were you ever considering quitting the army?

No. I owe my shooting career to the army,because I started on the sport only at Mhow. It’s all sorted now. All I was asking them for was a promotion. I’d been very busy with my game,so I couldn’t pursue it earlier,otherwise I was due for a promotion after all the medals I’d won at the Commonwealth and Asian level meets. I was working hard even then. But everytime I went back to the unit,I used to feel apologetic about forwarding my documentation. After the medal,a corporate company was offering me an A-Class,and a salary of Rs 80,000. But now I’m happy with what I’m getting from the army.

Q. Is it difficult for a shooter to win a medal a second time?

Everyone doesn’t understand how tough it is to stand there and shoot. Ups and downs keep happening. But those who are ignorant are quick to pass judgment,and say so and so is ‘finished.’ I prefer staying cool and detached. I believe if you do the hard-work,the results come.

Q. How would you describe your coach’s contribution?

Pavel Smirnov had been the army coach for 4-5 years,so for the last 4-5 months before London Games,I’d asked the federation for him to accompany me. He also came with me to Hanover and Poland,and I mostly discussed all technique with him. I’d told him pretty early on that I don’t want to change my stance,so he allowed me to stick to my technique and we didn’t waste time changing anything big-time. But he helped with the minor adjustments.

Q. Did it bother you that you or pistol,as such,were not in the limelight ahead of the Olympics?

Not at all. It helped I was away from all the build-up,and could focus on training. I knew I’d won medals at CWG,so I was confident of my individual performance. I didn’t mind it that I was away from the limelight.

Q. What other sports did you pursue besides shooting?

I played anything and everything that I could in the army. TT,basketball and badminton. I also enjoy mountaineering and trekking.

Q. What’s the pistol shooting scene in India like?

We’ve always had excellent shooters in pistol – both great role models: Jaspal Rana and Samresh Jung. I think one of the reasons for my success was that there has always been great competition at home from shooters like Pemba Tamang,Gurmeet Singh and Omkar Singh. It’s a great bunch,and you can expect more from pistol in the future. The rifle shooters like Anjali Vedpathak and Suma Shirur were my earliest role models in shooting,and later friends.

Q. Are you much of a reader?

Kitaabein khulte hi,aankhein band ho jaati hai! Not at all interested in reading. I come from the Himachal montians. We have great weather,we’re simple,sweet people,and don’t fight or argue. People are happy out there,and stick to their own work.

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