2 months ago
16
After serving most of his 17-and-a-half-year tenure with 11 Gorkha Regiment in Lucknow, Rai announced his retirement from the Army on social media. read more
 "Asian Games gold medallist Jitu Rai retires from Indian Army to focus on shooting, aims to set up academy")
File image of Indian shooting icon Jitu Rai. PTI
Asian Games gold medallist Jitu Rai has decided to retire from the Indian Army in order to fully focus on training the next generation of Indian shooters and transform them into world beaters.
The 36-year-old Khel Ratna and Padma Shri awardee, who was born in the Sankhuwa Sabha district of Nepal and is one of the prime examples of athletes achieving success in the sport of shooting despite coming from a humble background.
Rai rose through the ranks to become an Honorary Captain in the Indian Army after winning gold in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games — the only Indian to do so in that edition of the continental competition. And after serving most of his 17-and-a-half-year tenure with 11 Gorkha Regiment in Lucknow, Rai announced his retirement from the Army on social media.
“I am Hony Capt. Jitu Rai, SM,VSM, Olympian shooter, Padma Shree Awardee Dhayan Chan Khel Ratna Awardee and Arjun awardee. Would like to inform all that my journey of 17 years 6 months in Indian Army was completed on 1st July, 2024.
“The Army has given me more than what I deserved. I took this opportunity to thank all my senior officers, coaches, officials, colleagues and juniors who have helped me in every walk of life,” Rai wrote on Facebook.
“I have always played for the nation and Army and I will continue to do the same through my experience sharing and coaching to the upcoming shooters. I will always carry discipline, dedication and faithfulness towards my nation taught by the Army throughout my career,” Rai added.
Shooting academy in pipeline
Rai, who competed at the Rio Olympics 2016 and finished last in the 10m air pistol final, further said he plans to open an academy in near future.
“I have taken retirement from the Army to make a foray into coaching. I will try to compete as much as I can but will also like to share my experiences with younger generation,” Rai told PTI from Bagdogra in West Bengal.
“I plan to open a shooting academy though I have not decided the location. It would be wrong on my part if I don’t share my shooting experiences. If I get the opportunity to be a part of the national coaching staff that would be great.
“I have also heard that the national shooting federation (NRAI) has also advertised for the post of high-performance coach, so I will apply. If they (federation) gives me the opportunity then I will be really happy,” he said.
Besides the Asian Games gold in 50m pistol and bronze in 10m air pistol at Incheon, Rai also won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (2014) and Gold Coast (2018).
The World Championships silver-medallist in 2014 Granada also has two World Cup gold medals in Maribor and New Delhi.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·