CWG 2018: Jitu Rai wins gold in men’s 10m air pistol, creates new record..... Jitu creates new CWG record of 235.1 in the final to win gold; bronze for Om Prakash Mitharval who shot 214.3

PTI & IANS | Gold Coast | April 9, 2018 Indian shooting ace Jitu Rai claimed the gold medal in men’s 10m air pistol event by creating a new Games record, while compatriot Om Prakash Mitharval bagged a bronze at the 21st Commonwealth Games on Monday.

World Championship silver medallist Rai shot 235.1 to finish top. Kerry Bell of Australia took silver with 233.5.

Mitharval, who had established a new qualification record with 584, eventually finished with the bronze medal after aggregating 214.3 in the eight-man finals at the Belmont Shooting Centre.

Australia’s Kerry Bell managed to secure the silver medal with 233.5.

In the finals, Jitu led with 100.4 at the end of stage 1, while Mitharval was third with 98.1.

In stage 2 elimination, Rai started with 10.3 and 10.3 to lead the pecking order, even as his compatriot moved up and displaced Bell at second place with two 10.1s. Championship. Rai continued to surge ahead with a 10.2 but an 8.4 disturbed his momentum somewhat, as the next shot fetched him 9.2.

Meanwhile, Mitharval closed the gap as Rai had just 8.8 in the 18th shot to Mitharval’s 10.0.

However, Mitharval slipped after that even as Rai managed another 10.0 and maintained the lead throughout to emerge triumphant. Mitharwal bagged the bronze for India by shooting 214.3.

Om shot 584 in the qualifying round to equal the record set by fellow Indian Samaresh Jung at the 2006 CWG in Melbourne.

Rai had reached the final with a score of 570.

[KalimNews: Jitu Rai is an Indian shooter of Nepali origin who competes in the 10 metre air pistol and 50 metre pistol events. Government of India announced Khel Ratna Award for him in 2016. He also received Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for Shooting, Arjuna Award for Shooting, CNN-IBN Indian of the Year in Sports. He is married to Karate Girl of Majhitar, East Sikkim, Sushmita Rai.

Rai, who is based at the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) in Mhow, joined the armed forces by chance. He looked after his family’s traditional occupation of farming after completing studies till Class X before attempting to enroll for the British Army. However, as fate would have it, he ended up joining the Indian army.

Here is an portion of exclusive conversation with Rediff.com’s Harish Kotian. 

Has being in the Indian army enhanced your shooting career?

It has definitely helped. I learnt a lot being in the Indian army… like discipline and being on time. The army has made me mentally and physically strong. We have all the facilities in the army and as a sportsperson you cannot ask for anything more. It has definitely helped me improve as a shooter.

Tell us about your association with Olympic Gold Quest. Since joining them your performance has improved a lot…

It has made a huge difference to my shooting. They help me with everything I need. A shooter needs a lot of things, like weapons, diet, good coaching. OGQ makes sure I get everything that helps improve my performances.

Anything I need they give it instantly; they make sure I don’t face any problems with regard to my shooting.

I want to thank the OGQ team because they have done a lot for me in the last few months. I will continue to work hard and try and win more medals.

Did you join the Indian army because you wanted to take up shooting, or was it by chance?

I joined the Indian army in 2006 and only took up shooting a few years later, in 2008. When I joined the army I had no idea about the sport of shooting. Frankly speaking, I had no interest in it. But after 2008 I started shooting as part of the army training. Initially, I started with 9mm pistols. In the army, once a year we have a selection trial where shooters from every centre are shortlisted; they then undergo extensive training and the best among them are selected.

You were born in Nepal and brought up there. Why did you decide to join the Indian army? 

My father was in the Indian army. When I was small I heard a lot of stories about him… that he fought in wars for India, including against China and Pakistan. He was honoured with two stars for taking part in those wars.

After hearing from him how he battled the enemy I also wanted to be a part of the army. Since I was small I wanted to be part of it. It’s been nine years since my father passed away, but it was he who inspired me to join the army.

But you nearly ended up joining the British army, isn’t it?

Yes, that is true. I had initially gone to join the British army in Dharan, which is located in eastern Nepal. They gave me the gate pass and told me to come back after a month. When I went back I saw that registrations for the Indian army were open while that for the British army was closed and would open the next day.

Since applications for the Indian army were open I went ahead with filing mine and fortunately it was accepted. I was called to Darjeeling for another trial and was successful.

Before joining the Indian army what did you do?

I used to do farming in my village in Nepal; we used to grow potatoes, rice and corn in my field. We also reared animals, like buffaloes and goats. There was nothing else to do because I stayed in a small village; agriculture was our only means of livelihood.

You were twice sent back from the army camp because of poor performances?

I twice got the RTU (Return to Unit), in 2007 and 2008, because I didn’t fare well. But all sportspersons have ups and downs. If you don’t fail you will never learn. It is important to learn from your failures and get better. Army logic is simple: if you perform well you stay; if you fail you will be sent back!

How did your family react after your recent gold medals?

When I informed them they were very happy. I spoke to my mother and she was also very happy. She told me that the whole village celebrated when I won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Everybody is congratulating my family and telling my mother that her son has achieved something big.

Did they watch you on television competing at the Asian Games or Commonwealth Games?

No, they did not watch me shooting. They only got to know the news through the newspapers the next day.

How long has it been since you visited your family in Nepal? Is it true that it takes around 2-3 days of walking to reach your village in Sankhuwasabha District, which is located in eastern Nepal?

I have not visited my family for a long time now. I went there earlier this year, I think a month before I won the gold medal at the World Cup in Maribor [in June] when I got a holiday from the Indian army. But after that I have been too busy competing in different parts of the world, because of which I have not got the time to visit my family in Nepal. After winning the medals I have not met my family; I have only spoken to them on the phone.

Yes, to reach my village you have to walk a lot. Previously, I used to first go to Bagdogra by the train and the entire journey would take me around five-six days. Now I can afford to take the flight which will help me reach in around two-three days.

You had to walk for nearly a day or two to reach my village. Now they have made some mud roads which has reduced the walking time. Hopefully, they will build more roads and it will take less time to reach my house.

Jitu Rai in action at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Photograph: PTI

Aren’t you planning to shift your family to a city like Kathmandu?

No. Me and my family are very happy to stay in the village. I was born there and like the atmosphere in the village. We don’t feel like shifting out of the village. Things in the village are also changing for the good. Earlier this month, our village finally got electricity, which some people never witnessed in life before.

Did you play any sport in your village when growing up?

I used to do the high jump and play volleyball when I was a growing up.

Are you planning to contribute something for your village?

I am planning to improve the school in my village. This is one major thing I want to do for the kids in my village. With proper education they will be able to do so much in their life. It is one of my dreams to help the children in my village.

Do you believe that with proper infrastructure and government support athletes from Nepal can also make a mark at the international level?

You don’t get such facilities in Nepal. Sportspersons there don’t get anything; they have to arrange everything on their own because the government does not provide any funding. The people there play cricket, football and boxing; other than that there is no other sport. Shooting is a very expensive sport so people will find it hard.