Jitu wants to win Rio medal for mother
After getting to top spot, shooter spells out plan
LUCKNOW: But for the sacrifices made by his mother, it wouldn’t have been possible for pistol shooter Jitu Rai to realise his dreams. After achieving the unique distinction of winning back-to-back World Cup medals, Rai’s wish is to win an Olympic gold in Rio 2016 for his mother.
“That’s the only way I can honour the sacrifices of my mother. Whatever I am today is because of her,” Rai told HT in an interview on Thursday.
The pistol shooter, who became world no 1 early this week riding on three consecutive medals --- a gold and two silver --- in back-to-back ISSF World Cups in Munich and Slovenia, turned emotional while delving into the past when his mother worked on a farmland to make ends meet.
“My mother is my biggest hero. It was a struggle for survival after I lost my father in 2006,” said the marksman, who has four more siblings. “My younger brother and I still live with mom because of our emotional bonding. My three elder brothers have gone their way.”
A native of Nepal, Rai, conceded that before joining the 11 Gorkha Regimental Centre here in 2006, he had never thought about shooting. “My mission was to become an army man after coming to India. It was my coach, Major GB Rai, who pushed me into shooting. With just six months of training in Lucknow, I went to Mhow for trials. I came back emptyhanded but more resolute,” said Rai.
“I started training rigorously and my first reality check was the 2009 Nationals. But the Army Marksmanship Unit only admitted me after I bagged three medals at the 2011 Nationals.”
“The 2012 Nationals was the turning point of my career. I won a silver in air pistol and finished on top in free pistol, which earned me a chance to compete in international events,” said Rai, who shot into limelight in 2013 when he won a silver and bronze at the Asian Air Gun Championship in Iran. Optimistic about winning medals in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Rai said he was “prepared to win medals”. “I am ea g erly waiting for the Glasgow Games.”