‘No time to pop the bubbly’

You have made the nation proud, how does it feel to be the highest Indian medal winner at the CWG? The state too is planning a felicitation program, your comments...
It is a feeling of contentment in being able to do the job I had at hand. I was able to hold on to my previous games record of 4 medals. Perhaps a bigger achievement was shooting 600/600 yet again.I’m glad that the state is going to recognize our efforts. I congratulate all those from Hyderabad who have made it to the podium during the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Your match against Bindra got the public taking a keen interest in the contest. What did the win mean to you?
Honestly I was not competing against Abhinav Bindra. My aim was to get the gold and I did it. Of course in the process he returned with the silver. But when one enters any event in any competition, the eyes are always on the yellow metal and not on the opponent or the other shooters.
You were gunning for six golds and your loss in the 50m rifle 3 position (pairs) was because of an unwell teammate although you secured the second best individual score. Did the disappointment hit you hard?
There are ironies to sport and this is a classic example. Yes I was disappointed with the result but I knew the ground realities a day before. This is what makes sports dramatic. Well I hope two more medals will be there for me at the Asiad.
After your loss in the last two events, your coach Stanislav says that it is “impossible to win medals with the rifle Narang was using”. Your comments...
I have had problems finding the right barrel and ammunition combination and I am waiting for my manufacturers, Walther, to send me a 14mm group. Till that time I shall shoot with 22mm. One can hit the bull’s eye with 16mm but I cannot blame everything on my gun. My technique broke under pressure. Of course my coach too was disappointed with the result.
Hyderabadis have figured a lot in the games, making headlines, were you able to watch any of them in action? What was it like at the Games village?
No, I could not go out and watch any of my fellow Hyderabadis but I did watch one of the hockey games.
These days you are referred to as the genial Hyderabadi, were you always like this or is this a recent change?
Media loves to come up with names and I believe that is a way of describing me, now. I have always been the way I am. Of course, in time I have become a better shooter and am still striving for perfection.
Are you ready for celebrations now? How do you plan to celebrate your four golds?
Well I would have loved to pop some champagne but no time now because I have to head to the World Cup finals in Munich and then for the Asian games to China. It will have to wait.
jemima.margaret@timesgroup.com
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