Faridabad: Abhinav Bindra, India's only individual Olympic gold medallist, on Sunday officially announced his decision to hang up his rifle saying it was time to hand over the baton to the younger generation.
Humble and down to earth as usual, Bindra refused to comment on a suggestion whether he was leaving behind a legacy.
"That is for others to say... I don't know. All I can say is it's an emotional day for me," said the Chandigarh-based shooter, who stunned the world back in the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he clinched the gold in the prestigious 10m air rifle event.
Whatever Bindra had to say, none in the huge gathering, many of whom were distinguished shooters, had any doubt about his contribution to Indian shooting.
"He was the master of rifle... An Olympic champion, world champion, Asian champion, Commonwealth champion. Do I need to add anything more," said seasoned trap shooter Manavjit Singh. "What has he done for Indian shooting cannot be described in words."
Having participated in five Olympics, Bindra reached the finals on three occasions, a huge achievement in itself. His swansong was in Rio, where he missed the medal by a whisker as he narrowly finished fourth.
"In Rio, I finished fourth in the men's 10m air rifle event and couldn't get a medal. I had given it all at the Rio shooting range. But my performance in Rio gave me a great closure... I gave it my best and couldn't have done more.
"I have always believed in a process-driven approach and that's what I did in Rio. I have nothing more to deliver at the range as I hang up my boots," said Bindra as the entire audience in a five-star facility in the National Capital Region, on Sunday, stood up to cheer the undisputed king of Indian shooting.
Though unsure whether he was leaving behind a legacy, Bindra was certain the attitude of the common Indians towards Olympic sports was changing, albeit slowly.
"The attitude is slowly changing... The parents now do encourage their children to take up Olympic event. That's a good sign but the real break will come when pursuing a particular sport or some sports becomes a social activity. Then you really progress as a sporting nation... but it will take a long time in India." he said.
Pushing the limits constantly was what drove him. "My talent lies in working hard and pushing myself to the limits. I have always given preference to hard work and dedication because that is what only can give you the ultimate satisfaction."
And what will he take back from the shooting range? "Hard work, persistence and giving everything you have.
"I would like the young shooting generation to follow these steps for achieving sporting glory. Only then success becomes a real possibility. Thank you all for supporting me and shooting will always remain very close to my heart," Bindra said.
For the ace shooter, there's no shortcut to success. "Focus must be on the grassroots, have the expertise and the patience. It is a tough job and the return might come 10 to 30 years later... You have to wait," he said.
Bindra was last month appointed chairman of a review committee formulated by the NRAI to "examine and identify in a cold and ruthless manner" the reasons behind the shooters failure to secure a medal at the Rio Games.
But the shooter said: "The committee might be looking at the past... I am not interested in the past. What we have to look into is how we can improve in the future."
Bindra feels India should start working for the 2024 Games because it takes seven to eight years to produce an Olympic champion. "We have to nurture and support talent for a sustained period - from the grassroots, one step at a time, to the top," he said.
Asked how he was going to spend time after retiring, Bindra said: "I will now try to earn a living and get involved in a business. I need to have food on the plate."
