Bindra maintains equanimity

Bindra believes in the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, that only the effort is in your control, not the results.

Published : Aug 09, 2016 19:56 IST , Rio de Janeiro

Abhinav Bindra... gracious in defeat.
Abhinav Bindra... gracious in defeat.
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Abhinav Bindra... gracious in defeat.

It is never easy to digest defeat. Especially so for the greatest of champions, who leave little to chance anf fight their guts out.

Former World and Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, stayed calm on the morning after the storm that he had caused at the Olympic Shooting Centre. It was one of the finest attacks by an Indian on an Olympic medal, but even a life-time of meticulous expertise could not pin that elusive medal down.

‘’You need a bit of luck,’’ said the 33-year-old Abhinav, as a matter of fact.

Even though he was spitting after a bad shot, and was quite uncharacteristically blowing kisses at the end of the qualification round, and at the start of the final, there was no emotion from Bindra on the outcome.

For, he had always been proud of his preparations more than the results. It is a tough sport when you aim at a dot from 10 metres, the margin of error being unimaginably thin. Few understand and appreciate the effort to master the monster of challenge shot after shot for decades together.

‘’I did my best in the circumstances. Did all what I could," said Bindra, who had competed in five successive Olympics from Sydney and had made his third Olympic final.

It had been a fascinating journey, and the climax memorable, even though there was no medal to show for or celebrate with.

‘’Even after 20 years, I came here and was one of the best,’’ said Bindra, quite proud of his efforts and the unquenchable passion that he has had for the sport despite the passage of time and the achievement of two of the finest titles that the sport has to offer, 'World Champion,' 'Olympic Champion.'

Bindra’s mentor from his childhood, Dr. Amit Bhattacharjee, who has accompanied him to all the Olympics, World Championships and scores of international competitions around the world, was able to capture the essence of Bindra’s effort, a lot more eloquently.

’Abhinav gave it his best shot. He set out with a clear mind to make us all proud of his achievement. In the end, it is the effort that echoes throughout the stadium and goes to show the immense pressure that these players carry with their every single move,’’ said Bhattacharjee, who incidentally, celebrated his birthday on Monday.

‘’I can proudly say that my student and friend has rewarded me with the best birthday gift with his sincere determination and commitment,’’ Bhattacharjee said.

Before he went to shoot in the final, Bindra greeted Bhattacharjee on his birthday and ‘’took blessings.’’

Bindra believes in the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, that only the effort is in your control, not the results.

‘’Arrogance of success or depression of failure never went into his head. I am more than satisfied with his performance, because it is not always about winning medals. He has put a good show and I shall always be proud of his performance’’, Bhattacharjee remarked.

The whole country is proud of Abhinav Bindra, and the way he fought right through.

Once a champion, always a champion.

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