It is the fourth day of the London Olympics and perhaps the biggest from Indian point of view as two of the biggest names from Indian sporting arena Gagan Narang and Abhinav Bindra take to the Royal Artillery Barracks for 10 m Air Rifle Event and aim for glory.
Bindra, the 2008 Beijing Games gold medalist would be vying to become the first Indian at an individual capacity to win two successive Olympic medals whereas for Narang, he will try to break his Olympics jinx.
This is the fourth Olympics for Bindra and the expectations on him would be immense. The golden boy of Indian shooting cannot be called a favorite but then the experience of attaining success at the highest level is enough to pin him as one of the strong contenders for the event. He is carrying hopes of millions and perhaps none other stalwarts of this record Indian contingent would have more pressure than him.
And talking about Narang he has always been unlucky at the mega event. This is his third Olympics and going by what he has achieved at the world stage shooting he should have had a podium finish in the Olympic already, but then success somehow eluded him. Even in 2008, he entered as favorite largely due to his great run prior to the event where he shot few world record scores. But then he just could not maintain the momentum.
Even before coming to the London Olympics, he dazzled at the international arena winning various major events and also did shoot record scores and does look a serious prospect. This could be the year that can perhaps see him get lucky at his third attempt and break the jinx.
Both Bindra and Narang goes into the event after some strenuous training under their respective coaches abroad and chances their does look bright and they would have to shoot anywhere around 596/598 out of 600 to make it to the ultimate stage.
Even though they look in good shape, the road to glory would not be that easy as apart from competing against each other they would face stiff challenge from China's Zhu and World number 1 Nicco Campriani.
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It looks like an open competition but these Indian will have to show nerve of steel to end on a glorious note.
By Indian Sports News Network
