Abhinav Bindra, Sport Shooter
Sport Shooter

Abhinav Bindra

Born 28 September 1982 · Uttarakhand

Winning India's first individual Olympic gold medal in men's 10m air rifle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Abhinav Bindra is an Indian former sport shooter and a businessman. He is an Olympic gold medalist as well as the first and one of only two Indians to win an individual Olympic gold medal. Bindra is also the first Indian to have held concurrently the World and Olympic titles for the men's 10-metre air rifle event, having earned those honours at the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2006 World Championships. Bindra has won seven medals at the Commonwealth Games and three medals at the Asian Games.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Bindra carried the Olympic torch at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, symbolizing his enduring influence beyond his competitive career.

The Story

1
In 1998, at just 15 years old, Abhinav Bindra was the youngest participant at the Commonwealth Games, marking his early entry into international shooting competitions.
2
🌍 By 2001, he set a new junior world record with a 597/600 score at the Munich World Cup, earning a bronze medal and six gold medals in international meets that year.
3🥇 On July 24, 2006, Bindra became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Championships in Zagreb, a feat that placed him on the global shooting map.
4🎯 At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bindra clinched the gold in men’s 10-metre air rifle, becoming the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal with a stunning performance.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Bindra was the youngest Indian participant and scored 590, placing 11th but missing the finals by a narrow margin.

🖼️

Through the Years

8 photographs from the archives
President Pratibha Patil presents a memento to Abhinav Bindra in New Delhi (2008).
President Pratibha Patil presents a memento to Abhinav Bindra in New Delhi (2008).
2008
Abhinav Bindra participates in the 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games ceremony in Pune (2008).
President Pratibha Patil with Abhinav Bindra at a reception in London (2009).
Ajay Maken presents cash award to Abhinav Bindra for Asian Shooting Championship gold in New Delhi (2012).
Abhinav Bindra attends IOC meeting as Indian delegation member in Lausanne, Switzerland (2013).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Abhinav Bindra was born into a Punjabi Sikh Khatri family in Dehradun, setting the stage for his future in sports.
1982
⚡
Career
Youngest at Commonwealth Games
At age 15, Bindra competed in his first Commonwealth Games, marking his entry into international shooting.
1998
⚡
Career
Bronze with junior world record
Bindra won bronze at the Munich World Cup with a junior world record score of 597/600.
2001
⚡
Career
Gold at World Championships
Bindra won gold in Zagreb, becoming the first Indian to hold a World Championship title in the 10m air rifle.
2006
⚡
Career
Olympic Gold in Beijing
Bindra won India’s first individual Olympic gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle event.
2008
⚡
Career
Announced Retirement
Bindra retired from competitive shooting after narrowly missing a medal at Rio Olympics.
2016
🏅
Award
Received ISSF Blue Cross
Bindra was awarded the ISSF's highest honor for exceptional services to shooting.
2018
🌟
Other
Carried Olympic Torch in Paris
Bindra was honored by carrying the Olympic torch at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
2024
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 06
👤PERSONAL

Bindra trained extensively in Germany under coach Gaby Buhlmann, spending prolonged periods abroad due to lack of advanced training facilities in India during his early career.

02 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2011, Bindra’s autobiography, 'A Shot at History: My Obsessive Journey to Olympic Gold,' was published, revealing the intense mental battles behind his calm exterior.

03 / 06
💡SURPRISING

Despite winning gold in 2008, Bindra finished outside the medals in the 2012 London Olympics, showing the unpredictable nature of precision shooting.

“

"In shooting, you are only as good as your mind’s ability to control your body."

— Abhinav Bindra

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
India’s Abhinav Bindra 🇮🇳 I Legends Live On
·YouTube
More from this archive
India’s Abhinav Bindra 🇮🇳 I Legends Live On
01
India’s Abhinav Bindra 🇮🇳 I Legends Live On
YouTube
Abhinav Bindra | Episode 01 | The Finish Line with Saurav Ghosal
02
Abhinav Bindra | Episode 01 | The Finish Line with Saurav Ghosal
YouTube
जब Abhinav Bindra ने खत्म किया था 108 वर्षों का इंतजार
03
जब Abhinav Bindra ने खत्म किया था 108 वर्षों का इंतजार
YouTube
Inside The Mind Of Abhinav Bindra | India's First Individual Olympic Gold Medallist
04
Inside The Mind Of Abhinav Bindra | India's First Individual Olympic Gold Medallist
YouTube
Shooter Abhinav Bindra Exclusive On Retirement, Future Plans & Review Committee On Rio
05
Shooter Abhinav Bindra Exclusive On Retirement, Future Plans & Review Committee On Rio
YouTube
IOA trying to negotiate something non-negotiable: Abhinav Bindra to NDTV
06
IOA trying to negotiate something non-negotiable: Abhinav Bindra to NDTV
YouTube
Walk The Talk: Abhinav Bindra
07
Walk The Talk: Abhinav Bindra
YouTube
Abhinav Bindra
08
Abhinav Bindra
YouTube
Abhinav Bindra - Let's Shoot For Gold!
09
Abhinav Bindra - Let's Shoot For Gold!
YouTube
WION Sports: Abhinav Bindra calls on athletes worldwide to adapt to changed circumstances
10
WION Sports: Abhinav Bindra calls on athletes worldwide to adapt to changed circumstances
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Abhinav Bindra's 2008 Olympic gold created a paradigm shift in Indian sports, proving that individual athletes could achieve top global honors. His foundation promotes the use of scientific training methods, influencing how Indian shooters and athletes prepare for international competitions. His role in the IOC Athletes' Commission and as a goodwill ambassador has also elevated India’s presence in global sports governance.

💬 Social Buzz

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