Rahi hits gold in shootoff, Manu loses focus in final
MAIDEN TRIUMPH The 27yearold becomes the first Indian woman shooter to clinch gold at the Asian Games
PALEMBANG:PEOPLE at the 25-metre pistol shooting range in the Jakabaring Complex swore they had never seen such a nerve-wracking final.
The pulse raced and sweat dripped as if one was sitting in a sauna. The air-conditioner was working just fine, though.
Rahi Sarnobat and Naphaswan Yangpaiboon of Thailand fought a close duel until the Indian came out triumphant in a shoot-off to become the first woman shooter from the country to win gold at the continental games.
India’s teen sensation Manu Bhaker, though, flattered to deceive in the final after setting a ‘qualification Games Record’ to top the field of 32 shooters, just three hours before the finals.
Manu couldn’t handle the pressure and was out of contention in no time, finishing sixth. But Rahi continued to fire like a champion steeled for the sternest test. Never once did she flinch in the face of tough competition from the Thai shooter.
In fact, the deputy collector in the Maharashtra government, continued to flourish and after the “first competition series” of three rounds of five shots each, Rahi had 14/15 and led the pack.
She continued to cruise comfortably in the “second competition stage” — also called the elimination round — being on target nine times out of 10.
Then the slide started. A ‘3’ and two ‘2s’ in the next three elimination rounds of five shots each saw her blow up a threepoint lead and come level with the Thai girl, who shot a perfect 5 in the last round to force a shoot-off.
INTENSE PRESSURE
The pressure was intense but the Thai lost 2-3 in the second shoot-off after the first saw both tied at 4-4.
Celebrations over, the 27-year-old Rahi Sarnobat reached out to her personal coach from Germany, Munkhbayar Dorjsuren, twotime world champion, who has been with her for about a year now.
Crediting victory to the 49-year-old coach of Mongolian descent, Rahi, a picture of calm, said, “We share a motherdaughter
relationship”.
THROUGH THE PAIN
Rahi has been through a lot of pain. Though she won gold at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, few knew she was on heavy medication to alleviate a pain in her elbow.
She did take part in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games but vanished from the scene thereafter, no one having a clue when and where she would return.
“In 2016, I was put on steroid shots and in February this year I had a laparoscopic surgery. What made the difference today were the lessons in attitude and temperament given to me by my German coach.
“Yes, the injury which happened before the 2014 Commonwealth Games was a big setback. I took a break and returned last year missing the Rio Olympic quota berth, ” said Rahi.
“The salary I earn is just a fraction of my coach’s fees. I pay from the money I’ve saved from the awards received for my earlier achievements,” said Rahi, who is surprisingly not part of the ministry’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
PRIZE MONEY
There was some good news that came her way soon after as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a cash award of ~50 lakh for the gold medallist.
Target firmly set on the World Championships which commence on August 31 in Changwon, South Korea, Rahi said, “That is my favourite venue. I won a World Cup gold there in 2013 and I hope to win an Olympic quota place there this time.
NO PRESSURE
The German connection was all too visible as Rahi went about her task with the efficiency of a German machine, never once baulking under extreme pressure.
“Yes, that’s what I’ve taught her, never to buckle under pressure,” said Dorjsuren, who is Gaby Buhlmann’s contemporary and shot with her in competitions around the world, though
VORACIOUS READER
A voracious reader, Rahi says she can finish a book in hours and now she has three days before she boards the flight to Changwon for the World Championships.
Her target is to finish four books she has brought from India by Kannada writer SL Bhyrappa.
“I like his books which deal with philosophy and human relationships. Right now, I am reading Mandra. Hope to finish it by tonight. If I am alone you’ll only find me with a book, practicing shooting. I have no other hobby,” said Rahi before making her way out of the venue, perhaps to finish her book.
What made the difference today were the lessons in attitude and temperament given to me by my German coach (Munkhbayar Dorjsuren). RAHI SARNOBAT, women’s 25m pistol gold medal winner