 | « Back to article | Print this article |
No pressure, but responsibility, says shooter Sodhi
Shooter Ronjan Sodhi says the fickle English weather could play a huge part during the double trap event at the Games.
He is being labeled as India's biggest hope for a medal at the London Olympics, but ace shooter Ronjan Sodhi is unfazed by the pressure of expectations on him.
"I am feeling quite excited and thrilled. There is no pressure, but there is this responsibility... that people believe in my abilities. I feel excited and thrilled about it," he told Rediff.com in London.
Sodhi has displayed excellent form heading to the Games. Last year, he emerged the first Indian shooter to successfully defend his World title when he won the gold medal at the season-ending World Cups, the 2011 ISSF World Cup in UAE.
Sodhi is hoping to wipe off the disappointment of missing out on the last Olympics
He won a gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games and also bagged two silver medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. His silver medal at the 2011 World Cup in Beijing secured him the ticket to the London Olympics.
The 33-year-old is hoping to wipe off the disappointment of missing out on the last Olympics despite having broken two World records.
His only concern is the unpredictable English weather, which can prove a big distraction during the double trap event.
But the signs are encouraging, with bright sunshine greeting the city over the last few days and the forecast of the weather staying the same for the duration of the Games.
Sodhi is preparing for the worst scenario by training in the rain
"I have been training well. I have had some good training sessions. The weather has been fantastic and it has been forecast to remain like this. So I am quite happy with the current situation," he said.
He is, however, still wary and preparing for the worst scenario by training in the rain.
"It does play an important part because ours is an outdoor sport. The rain and wind is of importance. But at the end of the day, it's the same for everyone.
"So while it does make a difference, we get used to it. I've been shooting in rain for a few days and it's going to rain again I believe... so I've got used to it," he said.