Abhinav Bindra may be distanced from the shooting ranges but his heart still beats for the sport. Now spending most time in his Chandigarh office and also attending matters relating to the Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee via online conferences, the Beijing Olympics gold medallist is fully up to date with world shooting.
In a freewheeling chat, Bindra spoke on a variety of subjects.
Q: Shooting has resumed in most countries after the raging pandemic, what is your impression?
Bindra: Yes, shooting has resumed in many countries in Europe. It is not just about shooters resuming practice, they are also shooting competitions and getting back to their rhythm for the Olympics. Conditions have changed and there is a greater need for adaptability.
Q: Do you think shooting is a safe sport? We have seen in many other disciplines, a lot of problems in resumption of sports.
Bindra: By nature, shooting is safe. Even in the normal course, shooters are distanced between the shooting lanes. Maybe now, it would be a good idea to leave a bigger gap between two shooters to feel more secure.
Q: In India, a proper shooting national camp has not been held for over seven months. Shooters have been training at home, where possible, and some have returned to the ranges. What is your take?
Bindra: Good question, I think there is a very big difference between training at home and being inside the ranges. I can tell you from my own experience, when I was an active shooter, I used to spend long time at my own ranges. The real thing is to come to a range where everyone is there and feel the difference in the atmosphere, it is a very big change.
Q: Can the Indian shooters be content shooting at home, especially the 10-metre rifle and pistol marksmen. How is it different when you are at the ranges and in a national camp?
Bindra: Shooting at home for long and being in a camp are vastly different. When the world has resumed shooting, Indian shooters need to be doing the same. I do not know what plans the NRAI has made but camps must be held. It can be in smaller groups and the camps spread out over a longer period. There are perils in shooting at home, as you can take it easy. In a camp, when the coaches are there and watching you it is different. A shooter may not know what mistake he or she is making at home, only coaches can spot it and make the corrections.
Q: Have you faced a situation like this?
Bindra: As I said before, for me, shooting alone at home may have worked but the real thing is to be shooting scores in the hall under simulated conditions. I am all for camps and marksmen being monitored, we have good coaches at home in India.
Q: Most of the Indian marksmen going for the Tokyo Olympics are young. They do not have the experience of competing in the cauldron-type environment. What is your advice?
Bindra: I have always believed, experience is something very important. I have been through the process, from Sydney 2000 till Rio 2016. A shooter in his maiden Olympics has got only X number of shots behind him. It is always better to be having more experience at the highest level. To deal with pressure, it is something where experience helps. India has a core group preparing for the Olympics and they need to maximise their efforts.
Q: Tell us about the mental aspect and the importance of a mental trainer?
Bindra: The relationship between a shooter and a mental trainer is one of trust and confidence. One has to be relaxed in the head and heart to shoot well. Yes, a mind trainer does help but the relationship is one of building confidence and it takes a long time. One part is to stay mentally healthy and the second part is being relaxed. I guess each shooter handles it differently, but in the long run, mental trainers do help.
Q: Your take on the Tokyo Olympics next year?
Bindra: We have all heard from IOC president Thomas Bach how efforts are on for holding the Games in the best possible manner. It will be a different Games for sure and adaptability will be a new thing. Everyone knows the Corona virus may not go away by then. So, you have to be mentally even more ready.
Q: At the trials in New Delhi, some of the shooters wore masks. Is it a good idea?
Bindra: I have no experience of shooting with a mask on. I think in pistol shooting, it may be possible to wear a mask and shoot However, in rifle and shotgun, it may be tough to wear a mask and shoot.
