As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, we pay tribute to the courageous soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces for their sacrifices and remarkable acts of bravery.
Among these heroes, Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is notable not only for his military valor but also for bringing great pride to India through his accomplishments in sports.
With India anticipating a strong performance from its athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the spotlight will be on the skilled shooting team. Rathore, whose name is closely associated with excellence in Indian shooting, serves as an inspiration for the athletes competing in Paris.
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Who Is Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore?
Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, an accomplished shooter, made history by winning the silver medal in men’s double trap shooting at the 2004 Athens Olympics, becoming the first Indian to win an individual silver medal at the Olympics.
This was India’s sole medal at the Summer Games in Athens. Rathore’s accuracy and calmness under pressure made him a national hero and an inspiration for aspiring athletes in India.
Rathore’s distinguished career began in the Indian Army, where he displayed exceptional bravery and leadership. He served in the Kargil War, demonstrating his dedication and courage. He was promoted to the rank of major on December 15, 2000, and continued his service in Jammu and Kashmir, actively participating in counter-terrorism operations.
His regiment received the Army Chief’s Citation and the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir’s Citation, reflecting the high regard in which they were held. Rathore was promoted to lieutenant colonel on December 16, 2004, and to colonel on May 1, 2009, marking a successful and decorated military career.
Rathore’s transition from soldier to elite athlete was marked by impressive accomplishments in shooting. At the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, he won the gold medal in men’s double trap shooting and set a new Commonwealth Games record with a score of 192 out of 200 targets, a record that remains unbeaten. He also earned a gold medal in the team event with Moraad Ali Khan.
Rathore defended his title by winning another gold medal at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and added a silver in the team event with Vikram Bhatnagar. His success extended to the World Shooting Championships, where he clinched gold medals in Sydney in 2004 and Cairo in 2006.
In addition to these victories, Rathore demonstrated consistent performance at the highest levels of the sport, securing a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championship in Spain, an event featuring the top 12 shooters worldwide.
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