Gagan Narang Pleased After Winning Silver at Commonwealth Games 2014

Gagan Narang might have failed to win record-equaling nine golds in the Commonwealth Games after finishing second in men's 50m rifle prone but the Indian star marksman said he was happy to clinch a silver in an event where he was participating for the first time.

"I am not disappointed at all, a medal is a medal. I have bagged a medal which I have not won earlier. Rather I am happy that I have won a CWG medal in this event for the first time," Narang said after winning silver in 50m rifle prone, behind Warren Potent of Australia.

 

"This is not a popular event in terms of medals. It is an event in which India has not done very well and this is a new event for me too. The best an Indian has done in this event was a bronze in 2006 Melbourne (by Sanjiv Rajput). So I am happy that I have done better by winning the silver," said the 31-year-old Indian, who won a bronze in 10m air rifle in 2012 London Olympics.

Narang on Monday failed to become the only three shooters to win nine gold medals in the Commonwealth Games, having bagged four each in both 2006 and 2010, but he would be gunning for that achievement and join Michael Gault of England and another Indian Jaspal Rana in the nine-gold club when he takes the field tomorrow in the 50m rifle 3 positions.

"It is a good beginning to the Glasgow Games for me as I have won a silver. It was a fairly good performance from me and I am hoping for an even better show tomorrow," he said.

"My third CWG and nine medals so far, it has been a great journey and I am not disappointed in any way."

Asked if there was any flaw in his performance, he pointed out to the 9.2 he shot in the third series (eighth shot).

"I saw the wind coming and I made a mistake there. That 9.2 shot cost me and had it been better than that I might have won the gold or the fight for the gold would have been even closer," he said.