Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Bindra’s Beijing gold brings joy to athletes

— Photo: S. James

Elated: Physically challenged athletes celebrating the victory in Madurai.

MADURAI: The epoch-making effort of Abhinav Bindra at the Beijing Olympics to clinch the 10m Air Rifle shooting gold medal has sparked widespread celebrations across the country and not to be left out are physically challenged sportspersons at the Race Course ground, who hailed the achievement by cutting cake, bursting crackers and hoisting the tricolour.

Egging on the trainees at the ground, J. Ranjith Kumar, the commonwealth games bronze medallist and district coach for these athletes, was beaming with pride: “It is a proud moment for all. Our athlete has etched our country’s name in the higher echelons. The triumph has boosted the sagging morale of the Indian shooting camp, which received a huge setback after the exit of Anjali Bhagwat, Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Mansher Singh. Despite the promise, they could not break the jinx. But Abhinav Bindra shouldered the burden with aplomb and proved his steely nerves.”

On hearing the news of this achievement, the group of physically challenged sportspersons gathered at the instance of Mr. Ranjith Kumar and hailed the effort in unison. “These boys are hungry to perform. They could comprehend the struggle behind getting an Olympic medal. Most of them had proved their mettle at the national level and are aiming for the next stage, Asian championships. They have been asked to set their goals high and emulate such role models. At least now people should realise that sports in this country is not confined to cricket alone. There are other sportspersons too to look up,” he said.

As they did not qualify for the Beijing Paralympics, which is to be organised from September 6 to 17, these athletes with hunger in their eyes look forward to win medals in the upcoming international meets to qualify for the next Paralympics.

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