Told everyone we’ll come back with four medals from youth Olympics, says NRAI president

It’s been quite a year for the young Manu Bhaker who has gone from strength to strength after she first impressed at the ISSF Junior World Cup earlier this year. She followed that with a gold medal in the 10m air pistol event at this year’s Gold Coast CWG and repeated the same in the ongoing Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

"What is more interesting is the huge margin by which our athletes won the gold medals. It was a real stamping of India’s authority in the world of junior shooting. Even our silver medals were so close that they could have easily been golds as well. The credit for this goes to the athletes, coaches, and government as well," Singh told TOI.

"They are champions, podium finishers and exceptional athletes, but our team is more than just them. There is a very large group of juniors waiting in the wings. Having said that, one must give full credit to these young athletes for winning medals at all levels at this age. Manu had a bit of a lull during the world championships and the Asian games but has come back strongly.

"At the 52nd ISSF World Championship in Korea this September, India won 27 medals of which 22 were won by juniors who are compatriots of Manu and Saurabh. That is the point. So, while we should celebrate our champions and protect them from losing focus, at the same time, we have an equally strong bench strength that the country can bank upon," Singh added.