Success at the highest level of sports is measured by medals, and no stage is more prestigious than the Olympics. However, becoming a champion involves more than just podium finishes.
Arjun Babuta (25) and Ramita Jindal (22) may not have secured medals at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre on Monday, but their first Olympic appearance in Paris will provide invaluable experience for their future careers.
The two can look to Manu Bhaker as an example of turning setbacks into triumphs. After a disappointing performance in Tokyo, Manu has risen like a phoenix in Paris, securing a bronze in the 10m Air Pistol. She now has a chance to add another bronze in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team with Sarabjot Singh, facing off against Korea.
Arjun finished 4th and Ramita 7th in the Men’s and Women’s 10m Air Rifle events, respectively. Despite missing the podium, competing alongside the world’s best athletes will greatly benefit these first-time Olympians and prepare them for future success.
Arjun’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he nearly matched China’s Sheng Lihao and Sweden’s Viktor Lindgren shot for shot. The margins were razor-thin, and Arjun paid the price of shooting a 9.9 and 9.5 to be elimiated after the 20th shot with a score of 208.4.
Arjun arrived at the Olympics with strong credentials, including a gold at the 2022 Changwon World Cup and a silver at the 2023 Asian Championship. This Olympic experience will undoubtedly aid his growth as an athlete.
Sheng was exceptional, capturing gold with an Olympic record of 252.2, following his world record of 254.5 set at the Munich World Cup in June. After winning silver in Tokyo, the 19-year-old came to Paris determined to finish the job and consistently shot high 10s to achieve his goal. Viktor Lindgren secured silver with a score of 251.4, and Croatia’s Miran Maricic took bronze with 230.0 after 22 shots.
This was Sheng’s second gold of the Games after the victory in Men’s 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team with Huang Yuting.
Ramita showed promise initially but was unable to challenge the top shooters, being the second to be eliminated after the 14th shot with a score of 145.3.
Korea’s 16-year-old prodigy Ban Hyojin outperformed China’s Yuting Huang in a shoot-off for gold after both tied with an Olympic record of 251.8. Ban’s composure led her to shoot a 10.4 compared to Huang’s 10.3.
On Tuesday, Sarabjot Singh will have another opportunity to excel after missing out in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol. With Manu Bhaker by his side, they will compete against Korea in the bronze-medal match.
Manu (291) and Sarabjot (289) combined for a qualification score of 580, finishing behind Turkey’s Ilayda Tarhan and Yusuf Dikec, who equaled the Olympic record with 582. Serbia’s Zorana Arunovic and Damir Mikec, with a score of 581, will compete for gold against the Turks.
This Olympic experience has been a learning curve for Arjun and Ramita, setting a strong foundation for future successes and adding to the rich legacy of Indian shooting.