I always let my gun do the talking : Narang

The world record holder conceded that the battle on Wednesday was more “demanding”. “I have been struggling for form a little bit off late,so it is very satisfying to clinch gold.

But it was more demanding today,than yesterday”,he said.

Bindra versus Gagan always makes for a cracker of a contest and their rivalry has been a topic of discussion for a while now but both the shooters played down the rivalry,saying that they share a good relations with each other.

“When I was trying to get into shooting,I have heard a lot about Bindra who was already there. There is a lot to learn from each other. It’s always nice to compete with him,” said Gagan.

Equally effusive in his praises for the genial Hyderabadi was Bindra,who called him a “shooter par excellence”. “He is outstanding,one of the best in the world.

I am sure he will win many more internatuonal tournaments,the world championship and an Olympic gold medal,” Bindra said of his 10m air rifle partner.

The bonhomie between the two world class shooters was,perhaps,the reason Bindra was not feeling low despite missing out on the gold. “I am happy with my performance in the Commonwealth Games and it feels good,” the Beijing Olympic gold medalist said.

“He (Gagan) has been very consistent in the last 3-4 years,” Bindra added.

Thanks to their consistent performances in recent years in international tournaments,the profile of the sport has headed north,with people starting to take notice of them. But quite a few Indian shooters,surprisingly,prefer to stay away from the spotlight.

“Shooting is an internal sport. Public glares and all cause distraction. Over a period of time,once we get used to the adulation,things would be better. Hopefully,people will know what shooting is all about after the Commonwealth Games,Bindra explained.

Air rifle coach Stanislav Lapidus,when asked about the secret behind the success of Gagan and Abhinav,said,”I tell both of them to compete with themselves and not with each other. That’s the secret,top secret I must say.”

National coach Sunny Thomas,who is expecting the shooters to break their record 27 medals in the 2006 Melbourne Games,was satisfied with India’s performance so far. “We have won five medals today,I think it’s a good beginning. Shooting is slowly coming up here,Thomas said in a thinly-veiled

reference to the rising popularity of the sport in the country.