"Biggest peak of my sporting life": Abhinav Bindra reflects on 2008 Beijing Olympics gold
New Delhi, August 11
Indian shooting legend Abhinav Bindra reflected on his Olympic gold medal during the Beijing Olympics 18 years ago, calling it the "biggest peak of his sporting life".
On August 11, 2008, Bindra etched his name forever into the history books, securing the Olympic gold in the 10 m air rifle with a score of 700.5. He was the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics.
Looking back at his win, Bindra posted on X, "18 years ago today, I reached the biggest peak of my sporting life. Life since has taught me that the spaces between the peaks matter just as much."
While Bindra secured 16th and fourth spot in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, Bindra solidified himself as an all-time great with the gold medal at Beijing.
Other than this prestigious medal, Bindra is a seven-time Commonwealth Games medalist, including four golds and a three-time Asian Games medalist, including a silver. He is also a 2006 World Championships gold medalist.
Two medals, a gold medal in 10 m air rifle (pairs) and a silver in individual competition at the Commonwealth Games 2010 at home soil in New Delhi, also remain a high point of the legendary shooter's career.
Over his two-decade-long career, Bindra won over 150 individual medals, earning recognition as one of India's greatest sports icons. His exceptional service to the sport was further acknowledged when he was awarded the Blue Cross in 2018, the highest honour by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).
Post-retirement, Bindra founded the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), a nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting grassroots athletes in India through cutting-edge sports science technology. Through initiatives focused on high-performance training, education, and social upliftment, ABFT aims to bring global best practices to the Indian sporting landscape, ensuring a lasting impact on the country's future athletes.
He also served as a vice-chair of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes Commission, ending his tenure earlier this year. During his time with the IOC, he became the first Indian to be honoured with the Olympic Order for his contributions to the Olympic movement.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who follows global sports closely, I've always admired Bindra's composure. His quote about the "spaces between peaks" is deeply relatable — it's not just about winning, but how you handle everything around it. A true ambassador for the sport.
The Olympic Order and the ISSF Blue Cross are prestigious, but his real legacy is the foundation and how he's helping grassroots athletes. That's the kind of work that builds champions for generations. Respect, Bindra sir! 🙌
I appreciate his consistency across multiple Olympics, but honestly, our shooting federation has failed many talented shooters post-Bindra. His individual brilliance shouldn't mask the systemic issues in Indian sports infrastructure that still need fixing.
How can we forget that epic moment at the Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi! Watching him win gold on home soil was special. But his Beijing gold? That was history in the making. Salute to the legend who made us believe anything is possible.
Over 150 medals in a career! That's insane consistency. His post-retirement work is even more inspiring — using sports science to level the playing field for kids who don't have access to elite training. True guru dakshina to the nation.
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