11 August will always be a red-letter day in the history of Indian sport. On this day in 2008, shooter Abhinav Bindra created history by becoming the first Indian ever to win an individual Olympic gold medal.
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Abhinav Bindra at the Beijing Olympics in 2008
At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Bindra arrived with little expectation on him. Despite winning gold medals at the 2006 World Championships (individual) as well as the 2006 & 2002 Commonwealth Games (pairs), a back injury not long before the Olympics meant there were still doubts over how he would perform.
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In the 10m air rifle finals of the Olympics, however, Bindra showcased his best form, starting with a shot of 10.7. He saved his best for the last round where he shot 10.8, overtaking Finland's Henri Häkkinen to win the gold.
Bindra was also later rewarded with the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government.
WATCH: When Abhinav Bindra won India's first individual gold medal at the Olympics
Relive Bindra's winning moment here:
𝐈𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂! 🌟
— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) August 11, 2023
On this day 1️⃣5️⃣ years ago, @Abhinav_Bindra clinched the Olympic 🥇 and etched his name in a billion hearts forever. ♥️🇮🇳#OnThisDay | @WeAreTeamIndia | @Media_SAI | @OfficialNRAI
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