‘We will spill our blood to get medals in Beijing’

Manavjit Singh said he would not shy from spilling bloods on the shooting range to ensure a podium finish in Beijing.

Gunning for an Olympic medal, ace marksman Manavjit Singh said he would not shy from spilling bloods on the shooting range if that ensures a podium finish in Beijing.

“We will not return from Beijing with a drop of blood in our body for we would have spilled it in the shooting range there,” a spirited Manavjit told reporters during a send-off party for India’s Beijing-bound contingent.

In an oblique reference to cricket, Manavjit said for long, athletes have been subjected to unfair treatment from all quarters with all the adulation reserves for an “obvious sport”.

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“Just when Olympic approached, we were plucked out of practice grounds, dusted and instructed to win medal for the country. When we failed, we are asked to explain reasons and all sort of things were written about us. “Fortunately, things have finally changed,” said the shooter.

Manavjit assured the nine-member shooting contingent would do whatever it takes but felt they need support from countrymen even when they fail.

“You must realise that we are the best you have. If anyone was better, he would have been here in our place but that’s not the case. So you have to support us to do better and support us even when we fail,” said the lanky marksman.

Later, he said Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had raised the bar for the shooters with his silver medal at Athens and it was up to others to emulate him.

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“Rathore has set the benchmark for us and we all realised that an Olympic medal is not beyond us. Each and everyone of the contingent derived inspiration from Rathore’s feat and we would put our best foot forward,” Manavjit said.

But he reckons winning a medal in Beijing would not be a stroll in the park. “The field is going to be tough. Australians are on song, while Russia and Germany are also traditional shooting powerhouses. Besides, the game has spread far and wide and to be honest, anybody can emerge out of the blue to post the best score on that particular day and win the medal. You can just give your best and hope it’s good enough for a medal,” said the trap shooter.

On his preparation, Manavjit said, “The idea is to pace yourself in a way that you peak at the right time. I have worked hard with my coaches to bring some changes to my technique and I’m happy with the end result.”

Manavjit said he was also in the best possible shape and it was a conscious decision to ensure he did not land in Beijing under-prepared.

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“To be honest, technically we all are almost at the same level and that’s why small things make such a difference. I had to be in my best shape for I did not want to reach Beijing lacking anything,” he said.