Rahi Sarnobat - Of a promise and a perfect birthday gift

KOLHAPUR: It was a tense afternoon at Rahi Sarnobat's home in

Kolhapur

on Wednesday. The 28-year-old shooter was aiming for gold at the Asian Games and her win meant the world to her family. Unable to bear the tension of the nail-biting contest, Rahi's father, Jeevan, went for a ride on his two-wheeler. Her mother, Prabha, sat before the television, hands over her eyes. She heaved a sigh of relief when Rahi won the gold in a double play-off.


READ ALSO: This medal has given me a new life: Rahi Sarnobat

Jeevan told TOI he avoids watching such contests as the tension is too much to handle. "On Wednesday, I was expecting her to win. In fact, I went out to buy sweets," he beamed.

Rahi's cousin Aditya Sarnobat was also at their home watching the contest. "Aunty (Rahi's mother) was not ready to watch it. Uncle went missing, he cannot stand the tension. Rahi had promised me that she would win the gold medal and she kept her word," he said.

It was a double celebration for Rahi's cousin, Ajinkya, who turned 29 on Wednesday. "It was a perfect birthday gift. I wonder how we would react if we were ever to watch her contest live," he said.

Ajit Patil, her coach at the beginning of her career, recalled that Rahi had been a part of the two-week annual summer shooting camp at the Dudhali shooting range in Kolhapur in 2004. "She was willing to continue even after the camp got over. She had started with the rifle but, after observing her, we diverted her to pistol... turned out to be the best decision," Patil said.

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