Shooter Jitu Rai was being touted as one of India's top medal hopefuls, ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics. However as things panned out, the Army Marksman would finish eighth in the 10m pistol and failed to qualify for the finals in the 50m Pistol event, despite a solid start of 92 and 95.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, after his event Jitu said, “The wind got the better of me today. I shot perfectly till the final series, but the last few shots were taken during gusts of wind, which delayed my shot. As soon as I lifted my weapon I shook for the tiniest second and registered a seven, If it wasn't that one shot I would be in the finals. That’s the margins with which we work at and there can be no excuses."
The 28-year-old stated that he didn't experience such conditions in Deodoro since his arrival. He added, “If I would have practiced in such conditions I would have definitely done better. The last time I shot in such conditions was last year when I set the national record. I think I shot perfectly till the end, just that one shot which was a seven hurt me and that's what the Olympics is all about and I paid for that mistake."
Wasting no time, Jitu will now return to India and practice for the World Cup in Italy. He added, “Shooting is a brutal sport and you win some and lose some, but this is only my first Olympics, I'm sure that I will be back with a bang. And Tokyo will definitely be my year. I lost, I learned and now it's time to just fix the few chinks in my armour."
Olympic Gold Quest's (OGQ) Viren Rasquinha said, "Jitu shot very well, but I don't think this is the right time for over analysis. Let's sit down and see how it went and how we can get better. We aren't thinking from the perspective of medals, but from the experience he has got, he will only get better."
With both Abhinav Bindra and Jitu Rai out of contention, the onus is on London 2012 bronze medallist Gagan Narang and word number 10 skeet shooter Mairaj Khan to win a medal. If India fails to medal in shooting this will be the first time since 2004 the country draws a blank in the sport.
