Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

`Gagan' is the limit for him now

V.V. Subrahmanyam

Narang hopes the gold-rush in Melbourne will trigger a similar performance in the Beijing World Cup next week

HYDERABAD: True to his name, Gagan Narang has touched the skies.

Well, the ace shooter has carved a slice of history in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, winning gold in all the four events he took part in. To cap it all, he also set three new meet records.

Gagan had a predictably quiet departure from Hyderabad for Melbourne. But that will definitely not be the case when he returns to his hometown. There are bound to be roars of applause and even his employer Indian Airlines (he is an Assistant Manager) will gear up to welcome its most famous sportsperson.

"I am delighted at the overall performance. Honestly, I was not expecting it, but I was certainly dreaming of such a golden finish," he said after his fourth gold on Friday in Melbourne. "This is clearly unbelievable. And the results could not have come at a more appropriate time as the World Cup in Beijing is scheduled next week," said Gagan.

Not long ago, he was desperately searching for a decent sponsorship with only a couple of international golds. Now, he hopes the story will be different after his four golds in the Games.

Ultimate goal

"It is a dream performance. I dedicate this to my father B.S.Narang, coaches and all those officials and well-wishers who stood by me in adversity," Gagan remarked. The shooter is now gunning for greater glory. "The ultimate goal is an Olympic medal," Gagan affirmed. "With the World Cup next week being held in the same venue where the 2008 Olympics are scheduled, a medal is what I will be looking for," he added.

Fighting it out

He attributes the incredible run of Indian shooters to the intense competition amongst themselves. "This is the single most inspiring factor for India bagging a rich haul of medals," he maintained.

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