Doha, Dec 08: Triple gold winner in pistol shooting,
Jaspal Rana, today admitted that he had entered the Asian
games with inadequate practice and his form in the lead-up to
the mega event was not something to write home about.
"I had just 10 days of practice and I enjoyed the camp
for the last ten days," Rana said after winning the individual
as well as team gold in the 25m centre fire pistol event at
the Lusail range here today.
But he said he did not let his indifferent form at the
camp deter him.
"There are people who shot better than me. But I feel
happy that I did not give up," the Delhi-based marksman said.
Rana had to overcome high fever, apart from the tough
competition, to bring glory to the country and the efforts had
left him drained of energy.
"I`m still under medication right now. The doctors are
very good, but today I am going in the evening for a check-up
because the medicines they gave is only for five hours and
five hours is not good enough for me to shoot. So I was
feeling very weak," he said.
He also won the team gold in the event, in combination
with Vijay Kumar and Samresh Jung, a day after he claimed the
individual title in the 25m standard pistol category to break
India`s 12-year gold drought in Asian games shooting.
"I am still down with fever, but I am happy that I shot
the Asian record. I shot a good score and I am so happy about
it," Rana said.
He dedicated his golden feat to his family and countrymen
back home who stood by him.
"I want to dedicate winning to my whole family, all the
Indians back home and to the media. It`s like a big team. But
there are a lot of people who are here and supported me," Rana
added.
Bureau Report
