New Delhi, 11 August (H.S.): Indian shooting legend Abhinav Bindra has reflected on the historic gold medal he won at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, describing the achievement as the “greatest pinnacle” of his sporting career. On August 11, 2008, Bindra created history by winning the gold medal in the men’s 10-metre air rifle event with a score of 700.5 points, becoming the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal.

Marking 18 years since his historic triumph, Bindra wrote on X, “18 years ago today, I reached the greatest pinnacle of my sporting career. Life has taught me since then that the journey between the peaks is just as important.”

After winning the gold in Beijing, Bindra competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, finishing 16th and fourth respectively. However, his Beijing triumph cemented his place among the most celebrated athletes in Indian sporting history.

International achievements

Bindra won seven Commonwealth Games medals, including four golds. He also claimed three medals at the Asian Games, including a silver. In addition, he won the gold medal in the 10-metre air rifle at the 2006 ISSF World Shooting Championships.

At the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Bindra won gold in the 10-metre air rifle team event and silver in the individual event in front of the home crowd. These performances became some of the defining achievements of his illustrious career.

Over a career spanning more than two decades, Bindra won more than 150 individual medals and established himself as one of India's greatest sporting icons. In recognition of his exceptional contribution to shooting, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) honoured him with the Blue Cross in 2018, its highest distinction.

Contribution to sport after retirement

Following his retirement from competitive shooting, Bindra established the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), a non-profit organisation working to support grassroots athletes in India through modern sports science and technology.

The foundation promotes world-class systems in Indian sport through high-performance training, education and social development programmes, with the aim of providing young athletes with improved facilities, scientific support and quality training.

Bindra also served as Vice-Chair of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission and completed his term earlier this year. During his tenure with the IOC, he became the first Indian to receive the Olympic Order, an honour bestowed in recognition of his contribution to the Olympic Movement.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar