How Will Abhinav Bindra’s Miss Affect India’s Medal Prospects?

After Bindra’s loss, is it impossible for India to secure a double-digit medal tally?

Abhinav Bindra. (Photo: PTI)

Abhinav Bindra, the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist, missed a medal at the ongoing Rio Games, finishing fourth in the men’s 10m Air Rifle competition at the shooting centre on Monday.

With his loss, India’s medal hopes received a major setback with officials saying that their expectations of a double-digit tally looks unreachable.

I think that target is now impossible. Even reaching the London Olympics figure of six medals now seems very, very difficult. I am more than disappointed with the results today.

Rakesh Gupta, Chef de Mission of Indian Olympic team

Abhinav Bindra reacts after finishing fourth in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle event. (Photo: PTI) 

Soon after his performance, Bindra though said that he feels coming fourth in the Olympics was no mean feat. But his facial expressions reflected his disappointment as he snapped at a journalist.

It was a good day, a hard day. But I gave it my all. I think I did really well, and I am really very, very proud of how I finished. Somebody had to finish fourth, and I did.

Abhinav Bindra

He also made it clear that this was the end of his international career, not deviating from his earlier announcement that he would do so after the Rio Olympics.

I did well, ended fourth in the Olympics to close my career. I think it could have been better with a medal, but it was not to be.

Abhinav Bindra

Abhinav Bindra arrives in India after winning the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (Photo: Reuters)

The Olympic gold medallist started off well, but lost in the bronze medal play-off to finish fourth with a total score of 163.8.

The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel said Bindra lost by a very small margin and his performance was creditable.

Even in London Olympics we did not do much in the first two days and then we went on to win six medals. There’s still hope in other disciplines and other players.

Abhinav Bindra

He said every Indian’s hopes were raised when Bindra reached the second position for a brief period during the final round of the 10m Air Rifle event, but hopes of a podium finish were not realised.