Jitu Rai: 'Pistol King' Aiming to Wear Crown at Rio
Expectations may have soared after his incredible feats at ranges across the world but Jitu Rai is known for his nerves of steel
Highlights
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Jitu Rai is aiming the gold medal at the Rio Olympics
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The shooting star was recently conferred with the Arjuna Award
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Jitu Rai is ranked second in the world in the 50m category
Conferred with the Arjuna Award last year, Jitu Rai will be aiming to hit the bull's eye at the Rio Olympics this month.
Known for his modest attitude, Jitu Rai is now the benchmark of excellence in Indian shooting. It was a staggering haul of seven international medals during one year that saw Jitu Rai being rewarded with the Arjuna, and now the 27-year-old Lucknow-based 'Pistol King' of Nepali origin will be hoping to deliver India a medal at Rio.
Expectations may have soared after his incredible feats at ranges across the world but the Asian Games gold and World Championships silver-medallist is known for his nerves of steel.
At the Rio Games, Rai will be competing in the 10m and 50m categories, and will be one of India's biggest medal hopes this term. He is ranked second in the world in the 50m category, and third in the 10m.
Jitu Rai won medals during a dream phase that started in June, 2014, and has continued to perform well internationally since then.
Recruited in the 11th battalion of the Gorkha regiment, Rai clinched gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth and Asian Games and a silver medal at the ISSF World Championships in Spain, which helped him earn a quota place for Rio Olympic Games.