Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, a two-time Commonwealth individual gold medallist in double trap, may not be part of the Indian shooting contingent but the Colonel from the army cut a friendly pose with the adoring children as he beamed with the Queen's baton at the India Gate on Friday.
It may be difficult to hide the disappointment of not competing at home in the Commonwealth Games, but Rathore was all praise for the Indian team, particularly for the two marksmen Ronjan Sodhi and Asher Noria, who pursue his event, the double trap.
Hugely talented
“Both have very high potential. Ronjan is in fine form, and has a fantastic opportunity to win the gold for us for the third time. Asher has just come into the Indian team, and it can be to his advantage. He is in good form. “Because of his freshness, he is not exposed to the negatives of the sport, and can walk away with a medal,” said Rathore.
Asserting that the Indian shooting had grown over the last four years, Rathore said he expected much-better results this time, and hoped to say a lot of good things as an expert when he would be on air during the Games for one of the television networks.
“It is a lighter test and a chance to taste blood,” said Rathore, as he compared the Commonwealth Games with the Olympics and Asian Games.
“It fuels the ambition of the athletes once they taste success at this level. It has a very positive effect and spreads like a virus as the athletes start believing in their ability to win against anyone,” said Rathore.
“Indian shooting has tremendous potential. It has depth and that augurs well for the future,” Rathore signed off.
