'I want to be the best son in the world'

London Olympic 25 metre rapid fire silver medallist Vijay Kumar is hurt that his home state has denied him the awards he deserved over the years. The affable marksman, who is grabbing media spotlight ever since his victory at the Royal Artillery Barracks on Friday, spoke exclusively on life after his Olympic success.

 

TSI: You must be a star now after the Olympic silver?

 

Vijay: Not really. I remain the simple Vijay Kumar that I always was. I am a loner by nature and not the party types. We have a shooting gang and I keep to this bunch. I don’t have too many friends around. I love to keep to myself. Plus, in the Games Village where you are surrounded by legends like a Bolt or Federer, who looks at you? The only time I feel I have done something “extraordinary” is when friends call me and the media wants to interview me.

 

TSI: Are you surprised at all the media attention?

 

Vijay: In a way, yes. Winning international medals is nothing new for me. But I have always remained on the leeward side of the media. Probably I didn’t have the glamour or charisma. But I am not worried about the media. Today they will write about you, tomorrow they won’t. So it’s fine for me. Media won’t shoot for me in the range. It’s my job. The beauty of shooting is that everything is in black and white. Your scores make or break you.

 

TSI: How have you been spending your time at the Village after the medal?

 

Vijay: Fifteen days before the Games, I was not sure if I would be able to lift the gun. My shoulder froze during training at Hanover, Germany. I was in great pain. Even on Friday, I was unsure because the pain came back. I had to spray painkillers to warm my muscles. The last couple of days I was undergoing physiotherapy. Shooting is my passion and I have to prepare for the next world championship in October.

 

TSI: You must be dying to go back home? (Vijay lives in Harsour Village, Himachal Pradesh)

 

Vijay: Yes, very much. I am back in Delhi on August 8 morning. I have to attend some Army functions and then I am off to my village. I want to spend a good one week with my parents.

 

TSI: Are you expecting a grand reception at Delhi?

 

Vijay: I am hoping so. The shooting team is returning in two batches. I am in the second batch. My Army colleagues will surely be there. Probably, that’s the time I will feel like a hero.

 

TSI: You’ve been with the 16 Dogra Regiment in Mhow since 2001. How has the Army helped you in pursuing a shooting career?

 

Vijay: The Indian Army has been my employers. They have given me time off to train. I have not had difficult postings. I am a Subedar and am hopeful the Army will decorate me now. But I am apprehensive of the red tape. Let’s see how it goes.

 

TSI: The Himachal Pradesh government has announced Rs 1 crore award for you.

 

Vijay: Yes, I heard that from my dad. But I have a poor experience of my state government. I have been winning international gold medals from 2006. While the Union sports ministry was quick to give me the Arjuna Award in 2006, Himachal government has been dragging its feet. I have appealed so many times for the state’s top sporting awards (Parshuram and Himachal Gaurav) but they have always ignored me. This has been extremely insulting. I can’t catch the government by the neck and make them do things. So, I take this cash prize with a pinch of salt. Let me get it first. You know how we are all caught in the quagmire of government rules.

 

TSI: Whom do you want to thank for this Olympic silver?

 

Vijay: To be honest, the Olympic Gold Quest (a sports foundation run by sporting icons Geet Sethi, Prakash Padukone and Viren Rasquinha) has helped me a lot. They arranged for my training in Germany. This was crucial. OGQ has provided me a support, especially travel. There were times I would travel in train for two days to reach a venue. I now can fly and save time. It has given me scope to relax and focus on my training and competition.I also want to thank my Russian coach, Pavel Smirnov. I have no complaints about shooting.

 

TSI: How do you look at your life’s journey so far?

 

Vijay: It’s been a roller-coaster ride. I am still the simple village lad with dreams in my eyes. My Army upbringing has helped me deal with life the way it comes. So I am never overwhelmed with emotions. I want to live with dignity. I want to see my parents smiling. I want to be the best son in the world.