Top gun Gagan

Rifle shooter sheds past disappointment,finally gets Khel Ratna award.

Exactly a year back,soon after he won the Indias first shooting quota for London Olympics by finishing third in the Munich World Championships,Gagan Narang couldnt help but make his angst public with the system,having received yet another snub with regards to the countrys highest sporting honour the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.

Disgusted at losing the award to Saina Nehwal,he had taken a dig at the selection process saying that the Khel Ratna was just an inclusion of public and media perception. Though he didnt target the shuttler at a personal level,Narang had publicly stated that his record was better than Nehwals in the period leading to the honour.

But just as the news filtered in on Friday that he had been recommended for the award that has eluded him in the past few years,life turned a new page for the champion rifle shooter.

Every award is very dear and a huge motivation for me. This helps wipe the memories of the last two years. I am immensely thankful to those who kept an eye on my performances last year and awarded me duly, the 28-year-old said,unable to contain the happiness. Narang also did not forget his support system in this hour of joy. Id like to thank my family,friends and every well-wisher who has supported me in the process.

In the same accpetance speech breath,the maverick also sounded the bugle for London Olympics.

It was a bumper year for me and I want to vindicate the support and faith of everyone who wish to see me adding an Olympic medal to my repertoire in 2012, he said.

But after his four gold medals at last years Commonwealth Games in Delhi,the champion has been relatively quite on the medal front. In fact,he missed a couple of World Cups this year due to injury,and also due to NRAIs decision to give others a shot at winning quota places in the 10m Air Rifle event.

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Fit again,though,the former world champion is ready for the long haul. Well I wasnt injured as such,it was just a strain in the muscle. I should be fine in a few more weeks, he said.

As for the year ahead,Narang said: The tournament schedule is not final yet. My plans are not to be disclosed just yet,but will tinker out a few issues with my equipment and get set. Im also working on my weakest position which is the kneeling and I should be up and running in a few weeks.