Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore gave India its only proud moment at the 2004 Athens Olympics when he won the silver medal in the double trap shooting event. The first Indian to win an individual silver medal at the Olympics since Norman Pritchard in the 1900 Games in Paris.
For him, it was reward for the many years of tireless hard work and dedication that he had invested in the sport.
Rathore, an Indian Army officer who fought in the Kargil War in 1999, took up competitive shooting in 1998. His natural talent combined with characteristic determination helped him book a berth for the Olympics after he won a bronze medal at the World Championship in Cyprus in 2002.
That same year, he beat top shooters to win the 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medal.Then came the Olympic silver, after which he has emerged triumphant in almost every major event he has participated in.
In an exclusive chat with rediff.com readers on Tuesday, Rathore said "the will to achieve something, the will to overcome odds" is the key to success.
The transcript:
Rajyavardhan Rathore says, Hello, this is Rajyavardhan Rathore here. You can start sending your questions.
Aayush asked, what plans for politics??
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Do you want me to??
Christy asked, what is ur favorite shooting place and also event
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, World Championships...always a great fun.. Place - Italy
Christy asked, hello mr.raj who do you credit for all ur success, i agree with ur hardwork and determination
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Apart from those two -- the right direction and luck.
gautam asked, do u think you are public hero?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, I dont know..you tell me.
gokul asked, do u want to act in films?i think u can do a good job as a villian
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Thanks buddy. We will keep in mind.
pramodnair asked, sir why is tht our shooters who perform admirably in commonwealth games fail to replicate it in the olympics
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Different levels.
Lokesh asked, Hi Rathore Proud of you and wish you all the best in your future
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Thanks buddy.
Dev asked, Were you nervous during your event at the Olympics?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Atleast my nerves were chilled out. No Tensions.
Saket asked, Sir,being in a sport which requires immense focus and concentration which meditation technique (& other techniques) do you follow?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, One good way -- focus on everything you do.
hitesh sharma asked, hello sir, i m biggest fan of ur's, u r the pride of our nation. we'll proud of u. what is ur next aim now. and where u'll see urself in next olympics.
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Keep winning for India.
farooq asked, Who is your source of positive inspiration
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Inspirational people around me, it could be you too.
prasanna asked, good afternoon
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Hi, even my friend's name is Prasanna.
dkedia29@rediffmail.com asked, It is a very exciting and memorable moment for me to chat with U. I am very passionate about shooting.but it is very expensive. Pls tell us about the lucky gun that U lost.
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Shooting sport is a great fun. Try it out. I will make my next gun lucky for me.
Ravi asked, How does it feel to be an Indian and win the medals?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Very proud to be an Indian. All accomplishments make us feel good -- be it any level, doesnt matter.
praneeth asked, hi rathore,,,congrats for ur success til now,,,nd wish u all the best for the future,,,,
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Thanks, need all your support.
Aryan asked, Did u get your rifle back from airlines?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, They have lost it my friend.
nitin ahuja asked, HI SIR I M VERY GLAD TO TALK TO YOU
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Me too.
HIMAT asked, HI , CONGRATS ON QUALIFYING FOR 2008
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Thanks. Its been with your support.
kash asked, where you ever posted at kasmir, I remeber meeting a Major Rathore when i was young.He was in charge of Dangiwacha camp.
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Yes.
praneeth asked, as a professional do u thnk u shld b emotional abt a PARTICULAR gun,,,,?????
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Not emotional, but concerned about our immediate performance.
ANIL KUMAR DASIKA asked, HOW IS KASHMIR
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, It is the most beautiful place in India.
ANIL KUMAR DASIKA asked, R U READY TO BRING GOLD MEDAL FOR NEXT OLYMPICS
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, I will be very soon.
fupawaney asked, This is Faiyaz from Dubai.What additional you do to improve your focus and concentration?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Nothing special. Just want to do everything right.
Salute the Singh asked, Hey man... You got us that required feather on the cap
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, On our cap. Cheers.
Lal asked, Rathore sahab what is your most memorable moment in the Indian army?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Lots of them, but mostly of Kashmir and of my friends.
HIMAT asked, HOW DO U FEEL ON MAKING SO MUCH MONEY , DONT U THINK YOU SHOULD GIVE SOME TO OUR SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMIIES
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Absolutely. I am doing it already.
Megha asked, It says on the homepage that Mr. Rathore will be here at 3, so lets just wait for him to come online.. Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, I am there.
saravanan asked, Mr .Rathore ... Waiting for ur reply
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Can you send your question again please.
Satheesh asked, What's ur suggestion to the young & aspiring athletes & sportspersons of INDIA?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, A difficult proposition...Where there is a will, there is a way. Work smart rather than just hard.
HIMAT asked, WHY WERE THERE ONLY 20 PARTICPANTS IN THE OLYMPICS IN YR EVENT, WHERE AS TRAP HAD 55 , RIFLE HAD 67 , IS YR A MINORTY SPORT
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Every event has numbers specified by IOC. Here we have just the cream, the others have cream plus etc etc.
Lal asked, and what inspired you to reach this great height?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Just a will to achieve and do something in life. Lots to be done still.
venkatesha asked, how r you
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, I am fine and you??
amithmenezes asked, hi Rathore
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Hi Amith.
meenal asked, Will u planning to coach rest of sport person to keep our nation's image right on top
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Not really..Would you like me to?
sarfraz asked, He will shoot u guys
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Stopped doing that now...:))
Bharath asked, Hi Rathore, what made you to choose double trap shooting as your Sport ?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Just chance.
Virat asked, do you have plans to train the next generation of shooters as a giving back to community gesture
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Me giving back by my performances.
paoki asked, rathore, did u cry and did u have tears when u won the medal ?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Felt like, but had to hold them back.
schroeter asked, hi raj, first things first congrats 4 ur achivement? ru taking ane initiatives to make ur sport reach to all over india so that they can come up n take this game n take india to glory?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Thanks. Trying my best within my capacity.
siddhartha asked, DO U BELIEVE IN GOD???
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Yes.
a2000 asked, whats the best lesson you learnt from your parents
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, To be what I am.
Deepu asked, so far no response from ur side, Sir
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Ok tell me.
jatimd asked, What is your say about the situations 1. you just faced, going from last to first and 2. another one when u r leading from start to end
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Both -- one difficult, one near impossible. But both doable.
paoki asked, sir, how old r u and how many years u have left in the sport ?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, 35 and the guy who beat me in the Olympics was 45 then....dont know how long.
Sonu asked, What do u want to become from childood
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, A champion....didnt really think it would be shooting.
Virat asked, we definitely need sharp people like you in politics. we are with you whenever you are ready.
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Ok will count on it.
savi asked, how do u manage to keep the balance between your job and shooting
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Initially it needed priorities, but now at this level its just single minded dedication.
Rajsekhar asked, We are proud of ur achievement. But is there only one man in our world 4th largest army who is ace shooter like u ?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Actually its very different from military shooting.
Rajsekhar asked, We are proud of ur achievement. But is there only one man in our world 4th largest army who is ace shooter like u ?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Its loads of fun and doesnt hurt anyone.
Rifle asked, You must be having pretty tight schedules. Apart from the regular job & a hectic social life, need to practice a lot! How do you balance all this with the Home Front?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Social life is just an impression.
NORMAN asked, Dear Col . Which model (gun ) is your favourite make and why ????
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Perazzi Italian -- best competitive gun.
sarfraz asked, IF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SHOOT ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD YOU SHOOT?IF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SHOOT ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD YOU SHOOT?IF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SHOOT ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD YOU SHOOT?IF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SHOOT ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD YOU SHOOT?IF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SHOOT ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD YOU SHOOT?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Mr Adolf, but he is already dead.
Satheesh asked, & also tell me the exact meaning of Rajyavardhan?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Raj means state or nation and Vardhan means to expand the boundaries.
Virat asked, Who named you Rajyavardhan?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, My mom and dad.
haripr1 asked, which is ur next competition
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, World Championships in July end.
MajorReldSSBal asked, When are we going to win our 1st Individual Gold Medal at the Olympic Games?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, The day we start supporting Olympic sports.
Rince asked, Who is responsible for the sorry state of Olympic sports in India
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, We are.
shraddha asked, what are your thinking about girl?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Girls can be great motivating factors.
Sonu asked, i liked your that speech very much which u delievered in a recent game function (i think it'as commonwealth games function or smthng like that)
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Thank you so much. I draw my motivation from you.
sarfraz asked, WHYINDIA CANT PRODUCE TOP LEVEL SPORTSTARS?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, We can.....We just need to start supporting sports everyway.
Ram asked, What is your view on reservation?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Not the way it is. Rather have free schooling etc.
kejriwal asked, Mr. Rathore what is thatwe Indians lack compared to other countries becoz of which we are not able to make it big in world sports field
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Public support.
Deepu asked, I am awaiting your response, Sir Only says hello please this by humbly request
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Hi Deepu, best wishes.
sanjaygharpure asked, Sir, there is news that you were planning double trap event in mumbai, what happens to that
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Hi, I know you. Let it be a debt on me.
meenal asked, Sir, Hw r u feeling to respond our quaestions ? I am sure ur getting Lot's of questions .
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Feels good to chat with you.
uk asked, i am waitin your reply plz
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Can you ask again please.
viveksingh asked, hi how does one start with this sport, how to get the required lic. and clubs roughly how much would it cost in a year
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Get affiliated to NRAI and you can open your own club.
Swapnil D asked, Hello Sir, if not politics, we definitely want people like you to be a part of the governing body of sports. Any future plans for the same?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, If sports needs me, then definitely yes..
dk asked, I just don't believe I'm chatting to U,sir. Pls tell something about your childhood.
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Just like yours...loads of fun and pranks!
ria asked, hey!! its awesome to have someone like you in the indian army!! if you had to chose between your profession as an army officer or a sportsman...what would be your choice?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Very difficult. Can I choose both?
angel asked, Which is your favourite movie star ?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Lots of them. They all look fabulous.
avinash asked, Si, do you think we can win medals in shooting in olympics?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Not we can, we will.
surajb asked, What is the minimum we can expect from you in 2008 Olympic? Being an Indian, we are very demanding you know :-)
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, We will be in the top six and then we have the chance for a medal.
Sand asked, Why India always looses infront of Pak ?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, There are two things where winning is very important -- surgery and war. We have never lost in both.
bn asked, we all hope that u will get ur lucky gun back very soon.all the best sir .
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Thanks, with your wishes I will make my next gun lucky.
Reh asked, whats ur hobby ?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Music, movies, friends and fitness....
NORMAN asked, All the best to c u make a general some day raj......................
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, General yes, but General no.
dk asked, Sir, why aren't girls allowed to fight for the country, i mean at the warfront, fighter planes and all.
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, They are allowed. Volunteers can never be stopped.
Harpal asked, What motivates you and what are the secrets of success in any field?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, The will to achieve something, the will to overcome odds.
sweet_vlsi asked, Which is your most memorable shooting tournament you've participated?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, All of them are great fun.
babanitin asked, gud afternnnon sir...so any news of ur gun?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, I am working on my new gun now. Thanks for asking.
Uday asked, PLEASE READ THIS QUESTION. HELLO RAJ THIS IS UDAY. CONGRATS FOR YOUR ACHIVEMENT, WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. ANY TIPS TO EXCEL IN LIFE ? PLEASE TELL US.
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Hard work in the right direction.
ace asked, Sir, i want to pursue shooting as my careeer.. i am a amateur shooter. Pls tell me how shud i be a pro shooter?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, I suggest you get on to indianshooting.com, Shimon will guide you there.
dr_sahoo1 asked, Are you ready to bring gold medal from the next Olympics?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Will be soon.
joe_boy asked, i heard u where stranded in the road after u won the medal? is it true?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Life has a way of evening out things.....
Mayank Bahuguna asked, PLZ tell me about ur new pistol
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Its a shotgun...will get it soon.
sarfraz asked, So many questions asked, Chilly y are you ignoring them? And not all of the m are crap!
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Hahaha :) none are crap....just that too many to handle.
kejriwal asked, Mr. Rathore what should be our sports policy
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, As important as any other policy.
yajuarya asked, What do you have to say for those aspiring to be the next Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, The will to achieve.
rameshdas_123 asked, Mr.Rathore; how r u
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, I am fine...how are you??
kalyan asked, hi raj.This is Kalyan.we r proud of ur achivement.
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Thank you for your support Kalyan.
ria asked, And what exactly do you mean by "Work smart rather than just hard"?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Right direction...Its perfect practice that makes perfect.
bhavya asked, Hello Sir How are you
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Hi and you.
vid asked, how was ur behaviour when u are kid
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, No studies...all play.
rajan asked, which offered greater challenges for you in life: kashmir or olympics?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Both were unique....Kashmir involved lives.
Rajit Singh Tanvar asked, Jai MATA Ji ki Bhai Hukam Bhai Ji,I want to learn shooting. As a civillian ,How can I start or from where should I start????? As a Indian U have made us proud.Who else than a Armyperson could do this.I want to be like you.I also want to make my Nation proud.
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, 80% of Indian team are civilians. So you can do it too.
risha asked, hi congats 2 u
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Thank you.
bhavneet asked, Dear Col Rathore Olympian Milkha Singh believes that the Govt. of India should hand over its athletes to Indian Army foe ensuring medals in Olympics. Do you support his view ?
Rajyavardhan Rathore answers, Milkha Singh is a great sportsman, how can I doubt him?
Rajyavardhan Rathore says, Its time for me to hit the gym. Have to work on my strength training. Best Wishes....
