Ace India shooter Jitu Rai won three gold medals in 2014, the recent one being in Asian Games, Incheon
Rai, who spent his childhood growing crops in Nepal, told the correspondent about his past, sudden growth in the world of Olympic sports and boxer L Sarita Devi’s medal controversy at Incheon. Excerpts…
How did it shooting happen considering your roots lie in a village in Nepal?
I started shooting when I joined the army and before that, I did not have the slightest idea of the sport. I never even thought I would do what I am doing now.
What did you do before that? Tell us something about your childhood, education.
I have studied till 10th standard and once I completed, I started helping in family farming. I grew crops and the cows and buffaloes were my friends.
And how did you break into Olympic sports from there?
I owe a lot to my coach Mohinder Lal and people in the army. Initially, I was scared of the exercises when I was at the Lucknow base. I used to get rejected from trials as well but gradually, things took shape. I was spotted by an officer who sent me to Army Marksman Unit in Mhau.
But lot of sports are played in army. How come shooting, being an offbeat sport, caught your eye?
Well, I was a fat kid and not strong enough for other sports. Now I have lost weight. That time, I could not play any other sport.
What is the reaction back in Nepal on your achievements? Did you receive calls, messages from neighbours and relatives?
Apart from my friends and family, I don’t think many people are aware of what the sport is all about.
Why is that?
The government, the system doesn’t promote or celebrate this kind of a sport. Nobody bothers and there is no growth.
Do you regret when you think of the base shift?
When I was in Nepal, I hadn’t even started shooting. But it is true that India has given me a lot. My father was in the army and he used to narrate stories of regiment. When he passed away, I developed an interest and joined the 11 Gorkha Regiment in 2006 which brought me to India. I was determined to achieve something in life and realised that roaming around in the village, sleeping and eating would take me nowhere.
Did the presence of veteran shooter Abhinav Bindra add to your confidence all along?
Of course, it did. I got to shake hands with him. He told me I was good and that’s why I’m competing at this level. Coming from him, it was quite a boost.
You’ve won in World Championships, World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, all in the same year, which is most special?
Incheon. I had prepared very hard for it. It was one of the last major events and I wanted to do well.
Did you feel odd when you were sitting unrecognised at Indore airport recently, even after being covered extensively by the electronic media?
I am not that famous. Very few people know me. Even till last year, nobody knew who I was. So that’s fine. It is very recently that few people have started recognising me after I started winning medals.
Your take on the Uttar Pradesh government which announced Rs50 lakh grant for you? You weren’t happy with them earlier.
I heard about the announcement. I am happy they are respecting my hard work. But I will again say, all credit goes to my coach or else I would have been on the border today.
Lastly, do you think L Sarita Devi was right in refusing the medal?
I don’t know what to say but I think what she did was right. Every player competes with honesty, and if the judging goes wrong, that’s not correct.
