Multiple Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana said that it was sad to hear about the death of shooting coach Tibor Gonczol in Melbourne.
“Whatever I have achieved in shooting and whatever I am today, it is all because of him,” said Jaspal, who benefited from the genial coach’s expertise since the former Hungarian international’s first visit to the country in 1993. Jaspal won the standard pistol junior gold in the World Championship in Milan the next year and also the Asian Games gold in Hiroshima.
“He gave life to Indian shooting. It was his effort and vision. Unfortunately, it was very sad that we disowned him when we started getting the good results internationally,” said Jaspal.
“He was the first person to bring in knowledge and put Indian shooting on the right path,” said Abhinav Bindra.
“He was a complete coach. With him around, we did not even feel the need for a mental toughness coach,” said Samaresh Jung.
