<p>Two of India’s brightest sporting jewels made a quick visit to Bangalore on Tuesday, without any fanfare that one would expect Olympic medallists to receive. Vijay Kumar, Olympic silver medallist in rapid fire pistol and Gagan Narang, who won the bronze in air rifle, didn’t seem to mind it though, focused on the quest for excellence as they are.<br /><br />It has been a hectic couple of months for the medallists but the champions have been lapping it all up, humbled by the love and affection showered on them. Vijay, in particular, has been a busy man, with even a movie offer lined up for him. In this chat with Deccan Herald, he spoke on that as well as his plans for the future. Excerpts:<br /><br />On post-London scenario: It’s been nice so far, we are getting recognition, it has been a bit hectic though, with everyone wanting to honour us. We are being called to schools and colleges to inspire the younger generation. The important thing is we are being recognised. We have been working hard over the years and we are seeing the results now.<br /><br />People had told me about the kind of response one would get in case of a medal success, now I am experiencing it having brought a medal home. I am happy that I am part of the rank of Olympic medallists; I am proud of the fact that having competed in a foreign land, I have won a medal because of which the nation’s prestige has gone up.<br /><br />On the promotion he got from the Army: I am happy that I have got my due, it was pending for a long time and no one was noticing it. I was involved in my sport and was raking up the points. But finally, they have cleared something that was stuck in the files. <br />On the next competition: I will go back to training after four-five days. I will be competing in the World Cup finals next month in Bangkok. Preparation is less this time but I will try my best. The break in training was very much necessary as I was tired after years of hard work. <br /><br />On awards and honours: I am more pleased about the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. I had won four medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2010, won a medal at the Asian Games, won several other honours but the Olympic medal was the reason for me getting the Khel Ratna. Now people know that someone called Vijay Kumar has won an Olympic medal. I am the first to win a pistol medal for the country and people will now believe it is possible to win a medal in pistol events too.<br /><br />On rule changes that will come into force next year: It will certainly make the sport more interesting to spectators. They had tried it out in my event and response was positive. So they have implemented it in other events. <br /><br />Future goals: I will focus on my technique and keep working. Next big competition for us is the Commonwealth Games in 2014. As regards the next Olympics, I have to qualify for it first. That will be the main target.<br /><br />On other medal winners: Gagan came close to making it to the final last time. In his third Olympics and he got the luck he needed. Saina Nehwal did really well, even though you could say she was lucky that the Chinese player got injured. Mary Kom has been a five-time world champion and hers was a great achievement. Sushil won bronze last time and picked up silver this time. Now people are saying he will win gold next time. </p>.<p>It all depends on him though. Yogeshwar, in contrast, had come close in 2008. If you look at it, I was the only one competing in his first Olympics. I am happy to be in such a group. <br />On movie offers: Yes one director did approach me. He hasn’t told me any details. Could be like an action hero, or something like that. Since I don’t know any details, I haven’t taken any decision on it. Once I know the details and if it suits me, I will take it up. Otherwise I will focus on my sport.<br /></p>
<p>Two of India’s brightest sporting jewels made a quick visit to Bangalore on Tuesday, without any fanfare that one would expect Olympic medallists to receive. Vijay Kumar, Olympic silver medallist in rapid fire pistol and Gagan Narang, who won the bronze in air rifle, didn’t seem to mind it though, focused on the quest for excellence as they are.<br /><br />It has been a hectic couple of months for the medallists but the champions have been lapping it all up, humbled by the love and affection showered on them. Vijay, in particular, has been a busy man, with even a movie offer lined up for him. In this chat with Deccan Herald, he spoke on that as well as his plans for the future. Excerpts:<br /><br />On post-London scenario: It’s been nice so far, we are getting recognition, it has been a bit hectic though, with everyone wanting to honour us. We are being called to schools and colleges to inspire the younger generation. The important thing is we are being recognised. We have been working hard over the years and we are seeing the results now.<br /><br />People had told me about the kind of response one would get in case of a medal success, now I am experiencing it having brought a medal home. I am happy that I am part of the rank of Olympic medallists; I am proud of the fact that having competed in a foreign land, I have won a medal because of which the nation’s prestige has gone up.<br /><br />On the promotion he got from the Army: I am happy that I have got my due, it was pending for a long time and no one was noticing it. I was involved in my sport and was raking up the points. But finally, they have cleared something that was stuck in the files. <br />On the next competition: I will go back to training after four-five days. I will be competing in the World Cup finals next month in Bangkok. Preparation is less this time but I will try my best. The break in training was very much necessary as I was tired after years of hard work. <br /><br />On awards and honours: I am more pleased about the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. I had won four medals at the Commonwealth Games in 2010, won a medal at the Asian Games, won several other honours but the Olympic medal was the reason for me getting the Khel Ratna. Now people know that someone called Vijay Kumar has won an Olympic medal. I am the first to win a pistol medal for the country and people will now believe it is possible to win a medal in pistol events too.<br /><br />On rule changes that will come into force next year: It will certainly make the sport more interesting to spectators. They had tried it out in my event and response was positive. So they have implemented it in other events. <br /><br />Future goals: I will focus on my technique and keep working. Next big competition for us is the Commonwealth Games in 2014. As regards the next Olympics, I have to qualify for it first. That will be the main target.<br /><br />On other medal winners: Gagan came close to making it to the final last time. In his third Olympics and he got the luck he needed. Saina Nehwal did really well, even though you could say she was lucky that the Chinese player got injured. Mary Kom has been a five-time world champion and hers was a great achievement. Sushil won bronze last time and picked up silver this time. Now people are saying he will win gold next time. </p>.<p>It all depends on him though. Yogeshwar, in contrast, had come close in 2008. If you look at it, I was the only one competing in his first Olympics. I am happy to be in such a group. <br />On movie offers: Yes one director did approach me. He hasn’t told me any details. Could be like an action hero, or something like that. Since I don’t know any details, I haven’t taken any decision on it. Once I know the details and if it suits me, I will take it up. Otherwise I will focus on my sport.<br /></p>
