This story begins in 2004. 34-year-old Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore wins a silver medal in double trap shooting. He is the first athlete in Olympic history to win a silver medal for India in an individual event. This was the time when Indians started to excel in shooting. Though not in the Olympics, Indian shooters were performing well in the World Championships and World Cups. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was the one to convert this into Olympic success. After this, Abhinav Bindra created history in the next Olympics. He went one step ahead of Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

Abhinav Bindra won the gold medal in 10 meter air rifle. This was India's first gold medal in an individual event. After this, two medals came in shooting in 2012. One bronze and one silver. The bronze medal was won by 29-year-old Gagan Narang. The silver medal went to 27-year-old Vijay Kumar. Medals in shooting in three consecutive Olympics was a big thing for Indian Olympic sports. It seemed that now India can take Olympic medals in shooting for granted. But then a big shock came in Rio. India did not get a single medal in shooting in Rio Olympics. Indian shooters reached the finals in different events but could not handle the pressure of the final. Since this was happening for the first time after three Olympics when hands were empty in shooting, no one was upset. Not even disappointed. It was understood that the shooting column will not remain empty in the next Olympics.

The shooting column remained blank even in the Tokyo Olympics

This time it was a matter of disappointment. In the Tokyo Olympics which was historic for India, India's hands were empty in shooting. It is not that Indian shooters were not presenting their claim, there were a total of 15 shooters who were part of the Indian team in Tokyo Olympics. There were young shooters like Saurabh Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker and also experienced shooters like Mehraj Ahmed Khan. Indian shooters were presenting their claim in all the events of 10 meter air rifle, 50 meter rifle three position, 10 meter air pistol and skeet. But no one got success. Saurabh Chaudhary missed after qualifying for the final. Manu Bhaker's pistol was tampered with. Overall, once again no medal came in the sport of shooting. This time the issue heated up. This time questions were also raised. Because the male and female shooters had disappointed.

Apart from this, Neeraj Chopra in javelin throw, Mirabai Chanu in weightlifting, Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia in wrestling, PV Sindhu in badminton, Lovlina Borgohain in boxing and men's hockey together got seven medals. Therefore, the shooting issue got a little suppressed. After this, the Shooting Association also geared up. The preparations of the shooters were 'handled' in a more professional manner. The shooters were given every possible help in coaching. The contracts of the coaches were extended. Apart from this, the schemes of the Sports Ministry also had a positive effect. Overall, we have 3 shooting medals in our hands in the first week of the Olympics. But the work of the shooters is not over yet. Even now the truth is that if the Indian team had to take its medal count to double digits, then more medals from shooting were needed at all costs.

Will we go to Paris ahead of Tokyo?

Now there is a very simple question in the minds of sports lovers. Will the number of medals reach double digits in Paris Olympics? Its answer is also very simple. Which comes out through performance in shooting. That is, if more medals come in shooting, then this time the Indian team can reach the 'lucky' number of 10. Manu Bhaker also has to claim one medal. Apart from this, there are more events left in shooting. Apart from this, India will also stake its claim in sports like badminton, hockey, javelin throw, golf, wrestling, weightlifting and boxing. The whole country is expecting a medal once again from Neeraj Chopra in javelin throw. Medals have come in badminton and wrestling in the last few Olympics, so it is logical to expect there too.

The same thing applies to boxing and weightlifting. Where names like Lovlina Borgohain and Mirabai Chanu will represent India. Apart from this, don't be surprised to read the name of golf. Let us remind you that in the Tokyo Olympics, women golfer Aditi Ashok missed the bronze medal by just one shot. This time she will try her best to avoid that mistake. There is a very large section of people in this country who associate the country's population with the Olympic medals. They question the Indian team by comparing it with the population of many small countries and the Olympic medals won by them. By the way, this public has another specialty - they also pay attention to the world of sports only once in four years. We have to ignore their questions and objections and trust our athletes.