Gagan Narang, who is fourth in the 10-metre air rifle, sixth in the 50-metre three position and ninth in the 50-metre prone, according to the latest rankings of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), the sport’s governing body, to me came across as a sharp yet a warm person who believes in the no nonsense policy and quite comfortably pulls it off with ease. To a few questions that I had shot, Mr. Narang had indeed very patiently answered each one them. This is how our short chat had shaped up.25 years done and your most prized asset is the gold in the world cup. When 28 years are done you would have?
---May be an Olympic gold medal and all that life offers three years down the line
A normal life; computer graduate and an assistant manager with Indian Airlines. How did the sport fit in all this?
---Sport had been an integral part of me every since I was a teenager. The rest of me revolves around my sport. Being a computer graduate and the job with Indian Airlines came along the way
With just 5 years dedicated to the sport, you think that’s enough for a sportsman to win the accolades?
---It does not depend on the number of years put in but essentially the quality of effort that has gone into those formative years. As a professional one ought to believe that he can win medal in every competition he shoots
Since when have you informally been acquainted with the sport?
---I took to the sport since I was in my teens. It has been over 12 years now
Your success is highly coveted. Any hardships faced to reach so far?
---In adversities one finds opportunities and it has been tru in my case so far. I have had a lot of hardship from getting my first gun when my parents had to sell a plot of land to getting coach, training, sponsorship and ammunition
A famous quote says, “it’s the journey that should be important and not the destination”. You agree?
---It is very important for the journey to be as fulfilling as the destination
You had once said, “I was fit during the games(Olympic) but maybe with a bit of luck I would have made it” You believe a tiny bit of luck can make a difference?
---Yes for a sportsman it makes a lot of difference. It is fifty percent perspiration and fifty per cent luck that one got to rely on
The best or rather a wise lesson you have learnt in your journey as a sports person in this field.
---Never give up because there is always light at the end of one dark tunnel
“If all the time I am proving myself of my capabilities then when do I improve?” is what you had once quoted. Does frustration affect your performance?
---A person goes through several phases in one's life. This was a phase when I had felt such. Today the priorities are different and so is the mindset. But I do not allow frustration to eat into my psyche
How much would rate yourself on the scale of ten as far as the mental strength is concerned and why?
---I would rate myself ten on ten because I have the ability to control my emotions and thereby chanalise my energies in the way that is beneficial to my sport
Keeping the government issues regarding the financial aid and the hardships aside, what was it that kept you moving on? Any inspirational figure?
---My mom is my biggest inspiration. I have always wanted to win for her
To make it fun for all you readers, here is a set of blanks that I had requested Mr. Narang to fill and like I had mentioned it earlier, he had very patiently obliged to my request. These set of facts are all that you need to know about Gagan Narang, the gold medalist and one of the very few witty sports persons that I have come across. Have fun!
- Gagan Narang in school was...SHY
- Most prized asset personally was....MY TEMPERAMENT
- A fact that most people miss out on when you are being talked about is....I AM A PRODUCT OF THE SYSTEM
- Apart from shooting, anything else you that you have or have already mastered is.....SHOOTING WITH THE CAMERA
- If not in this sport then you would be a ………..PILOT
- The most difficult time in your career was when ……….MISSED HITTING THE BULL'S EYE IN BEIJING
- Your goal for the next five years is …………………….TO WIN AN OLYMPIC GOLD
- Family to you is………..AN ASSET
- ‘Belief’ to you is…..FUNDAMENTAL
- A normal day for you would go like…….NORMAL IS BORING
- The quote or saying that keeps you going during those nail biting scenarios is……..CARPEDIEM
- A sound temperament; your say on that as far you are concerned would be……..AN ASSET
- If not today, tomorrow you aspire to…….OWN A FERRARI
- The first thing that comes to your mind when I say India is…….RICHLY DIVERSE
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