Sodhi told Abhinav's father about me because we had gone together to participate in the Asian Games in Thailand. I have done coaching in Switzerland, Russia and America, too. I represented India thrice in the Asian Games and won many gold medals over the last 50 years. I got my first gold medal in 1953 from [late Primer Minister] Jawaharlal Nehru. Two years back I won a gold medal in Indore, in a 300-metre rifle competition.
I have studied the sport of shooting in so much detail that I don't need to look at the target. I only need see that my fundamentals of shooting are in place.
In Chandigarh I have a shooting range, too. My children used to practice there.
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Abhinav was hardly 13 years old when he came to me; he was such a delicate child. I was told that his father has high status in society and is very rich. I asked Sodhi, 'Will this son of a rich man work hard? Will he be able to carry the heavy rifle?'
Abhinav himself answered, "Bilkul uthaoonga [surely I will lift], Sir. I am very fond of air gun shooting."
Since his father insisted that his training should be of Olympic standard, I said it is easier to talk about it rather than get that high level of training. I proposed that if you want him to become an Olympic player, then first you would have to get him those weapons that are used at the Olympic Games.
Also read: My life is all about my sport: Abhinav
Photograph: Getty Images
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