I'm sure my day will come: Joydeep Karmakar

NEW DELHI: A day after narrowly missing out on the bronze in the Olympics, rifle shooter Joydeep Karmakar shared his experience with TOI from London. Excerpts:
You came so near yet so far. How painful was the experience?
Only an Olympian, finishing fourth, can understand how painful it is! But at end of the day when I think about my effort and fight, l have no regrets as I gave my 200 per cent into it.This is not the end, but just the beginning.
What went wrong in the finals? Would it have been different had you fared well in qualifications?
Absolutely nothing! A final of 104.1 in any day is respected world over. Given the field of super strong contenders in prone event which is dominated by the US, Russians, and Europeans, I'm quite happy with the challenge. I shot the third best final score behind (Sergei) Martynov and (Rajmond ) Debevec, who shot an unbelievable 105.1. Had it been the new format final (effective from January 1, next year) I would have won a bronze. The qualification score was not great but given the weather condition, many a world champion faltered including Bejing gold medelist Artur Aivazian. It wasn't easy at all.
You must have proved a point by now. Was it your answer to the critics who raised a lot of talks about your selection?
I believe in forgive-and-forget policy. So if the critics are happy, or repentant about underestimating me, I'll more than happy. Hope I'll find those people by my side this time! I know I may not get any reward for my efforts or coming so close to a medal, but I'm sure my day will come.
How did your fellow shooters respond to your battle?
They were overwhelmed. Not only Indians, but I received a lot of praise from the foreign athletes and coaches, who termed it as a brave fight. They didn't expect a first-timer to hold his nerve in the face of challenge from experienced Olympians.
How has been the experience so far? About Village life, mingling with stars and sharing experience with others...
The experience has been wonderful, though I've not been a real village folk till now, confining myself to the range, dining hall and my room. The Games Village is such a place where you can find people from so many countries staying together, there's no other event on earth that you will find this wonderful mix of ethnicity.
Could you manage to meet any of your heroes outside your discipline? Like Usain Bolt and others?
Not really, But I have shared the dining hall with Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams a couple of times. Bolt walked past my left shoulders before the march past of opening ceremony. That's about it.