It is one of those times when I cannot express how happy I am feeling even though there is nothing personal in this.
Abhinav Bindra was 17 when he went to Sydney on the back of some eye catching performances that caught my eye. I have followed his progress ever since and needless to say was disappointed when he didn’t live up to his potential in the last few years. How I cried like a baby when he lost a chance to win a medal for India in 2004 Athens Olympics. I remember I took out the frustration by lapping my football ground 25 times.
In his quest for Olympic glory Abhinav had to face some uncomfortable questions when he was repeatedly on his being from a high class family. Abhinav is from a very rich family and that did help in him not being too bogged about pursuing his goals. But I used to always be wary about this chap since I thought once he failed in Sydney he would be distracted and would not reach the heights that many of his fans thought he could. But when he came back strongly in 2004, my admiration for him became more stronger. He was never my favourite sportsman, but I somehow had a soft corner for him.
Never thought he would get the gold yaar !!! whew ! a few days back The Times of India carried an interview of him, wherein the interviewer asked him, whom does he want to credit with his resurgence. He he told coolly “ I will credit only myself for this”. I was shocked to read it since I thought he was not being modest. But I guess he knew what he was saying. Its this steel that got him the gold. Lesser mortals cannot understand all this and might term his attitude as cockiness or overconfidence. Anyways its like Howard Roark of The Fountainhead…. All of us admire him in spite of his attitude. Objectivism .. hmmm
Anyways today as Abhinav has bestowed his country with a medal that will be the cynosure of all discussions ( read cricketer bashing, in the wake of our team’s failure in Sri Lanka), we can just wish for this great sportsman to carry on with this and remain focused.
I am not able to pay a tribute to Abhinav Bindra since I think his journey has just begun. Also I am too overwhelmed to write any good English. He ! He ! He ! I wish I can wait to pen a tribute to some other men and women who have gone to Beijing to vie for the glory…. Vijender Singh, Saina Nehwal, Anup Sridhar, Anju George, Rajyavardhan Singh, Gagan Narang, Leander Paes. I believe in them.
But today I am very sure that God is kind.
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