Ronjan Sodhi
Ronjan Sodhi, a less known marksman from India shocked the continent by winning the gold medal in the double trap shooting event at the Asian Games. The result was very unexpected as Sodhi himself went into the game with a finals berth in his mind. “This is a very special madal as it has lifted the gloom and bad publicity surrounding the shooting contingent”. My motive today was to make it to the final”. The marksman’s gold medal gas surely lifted the spirits of other shooters and athletes.
Even the slightest expectation started to glimmer when Sodhi found himself in a position where he was in a four point deficit. “Yes, it was tough coming back from a four point deficit in the finals. For the last six months, I have been training specially for these situations”. Asked on his preparations, with a satisfactory smile he said, “What helped me get the right kind of preparation before the Asiad was a training stint in Lonato (Italy) immediately after the Commonwealth Games with Coach Marcello Dardi. I knew a lot of eyes were on me after the shooters poor performances recently. That’s why I even stopped reading newspapers for one week.”
Like many successful athletes around the world Ronjan Sodhi too kept short term goals and didn’t aim for the big price. His approach towards the game was very mature and it proved to be the right choice. “I was very confident that despite the 44/50 I shot in the second series, I would make the grade. After I entered the final, my thought was on winning a medal of any hue. With the Chinese having a bad day, I moved to the top.”
“But this is not my target. My target is to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics when the qualification tournaments begin in March next year. I have suffered enough after not making it to the 2008 Beijing Games.
Inspite of the emphatic victory Sodhi rated his Asiad performance next to his World championship victory, he said, “Asiad gold medal means a lot to my Nation but personally the world championship gold is my prized possession.” He further added, “Moreover I had to do justice with my No. 3 ranking and I’m I could do it, people said I was over-rated and now I’m happy that I have answered them. Ronjit Sodhi is in good form and he hopes to keep it intact for the next two years in order to achieve a medal in the Olympics.
Tags: Asian Games, Asian Games 2010, Commonwealth Games, Gold Medal, Indian Sports, London Olympics, Ronjan Sodhi, Shooting, Sports, Sports India
