New Delhi: Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra will be checking into the Games Village in London a few days ahead of the other Indian shooters for the upcoming edition of the Games in the British capital.
One of India’s brightest medal hopes, Bindra will be defending the historic gold medal he won in Beijing four years ago in the 10-metre air rifle event.
“Abhinav will be reaching the Games Village before us. He will practise for four to five days and then take a break,” national coach Sunny Thomas said.
The other shooters are planning to arrive at the village on July 21, six days prior to the opening ceremony on July 27, said Thomas.
Bindra along with Gagan Narang will represent India in the 10-metre event, and both are seen as bright medal prospects.
Thomas also said that some of India’s top shooters, including Narang, will be leaving for Germany on Friday for their final phase of preparations for the upcom-ing Games.
Joydeep Karmakar has been in Germany for a while, training with Bindra and coach Heinz Reinkemeier, who helped the 10-metre rifle ace from Zirakpur, Punjab clinch the gold in Beijing.
Bindra shot impressive scores in the two competitions at the Training Camp London for select shooters in an event in France last week.
Thomas sounded optimistic about India’s chances, saying, “The numbers (of shooters) have gone up from nine (in Beijing Games) to 11 this time and the confidence also has gone up after we won medals in Athens and Beijing,” he said.
That the shooters are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to return home with a rich haul, only adds to the hopes and expectations. (PTI)