'When the medal was running away from me, I ran faster and grabbed it'

For years, Gagan Narang remained in the shadows of his more illustrious compatriot, Abhinav Bindra, the Beijing Olympics gold medallist. This despite wins at several other international competitions and a world record in the 10-m air rifle event, in which he now has an Olympic medal. His bronze-winning effort may not shine as brightly as Abhinav's gold, but Gagan has made a billion people proud when he won the country's first medal in London.In an interview with BT, he talks about his win and his expectations for the rest of the tournament.
How does it feel now that you have an Olympic medal and that too India's first in London?
Well, I was the first Indian to have qualified for the London games and so it was only apt that I got the first medal of the London Olympics. It was a huge, huge sense of relief because this was the only addition I needed to my trophy cabinet. My mother used to remind me of the other medals I have and the one and only one I still had to get. Now I am yearning to go and give this to her. However, a job well begun is half done. So I want to give my best in the other two events (50-m Rifle Prone and 50-m Rifle 3 Position) before I head home. This medal has now given me the impetus to do well in the other two events as well.
The 10-m air rifle is your pet event in which you hold a world record. Do you think you could have done better?
Yes, I would have been happier hitting a perfect 600 in the qualification. I have shot at the World Cup finals and in the Commonwealth games too. This was a stage set for a perfect score. However, I am happy the way I approached the match. The final was nerve-wracking. At one moment the medal was running away from me, but then I ran a little faster and grabbed it
Was there pressure on you once you knew that Abhinav Bindra was out of medal contention?
There is always immense pressure at a big stage like this. I didn't know what Abhinav shot until later in the evening. Having finished third in the qualification, I knew that I had to shoot consistently and not do anything silly. I followed the instructions of my coach meticulously and produced the results.
You have two more events at the Olympics. What are your expectations?
Every sportsperson goes into a competition aiming to give of their best. I am no exception. And I am even hungrier after the bronze. Now is my turn to change the colour, and I will try my best in the next two events. I have not taken my foot off the pedal. There is no time and I am training really, really hard.
Do you feel vindicated, now that you have silenced your critics who said you don't deliver when the time comes...
You should tell me whether I have silenced my critics or not. I am immensely thankful to those who gave me confidence and always thought that I belonged to the big stage. There have been times of desperation and agony, but I have overcome them by having had a wonderful support system. I feel they have been vindicated today.
Headlines screamed ‘India goes gaga over Gagan'. Is it unfair that people are sitting up and taking notice only now that you have an Olympic medal?
I don't think it is unfair. This is a big stage... this is the biggest sporting show on the earth. Podium finishes here will be noticed. I am glad people are finally waking up to the power of shooting, and Olympic sports in India. This is just the beginning, I hope. More is to come.