A ''HUGE STONE" OFF HIS CHEST, BRONZE MEDALIST GAGAN NARANG LOOKS TO DO BETTER IN OTHER SHOOTINGS EVENTS

Gagan Narang finally stepped out of the shadows of Abhinav Bindra as he scored an incredible 10.7 with his last shot to win India's first medal at the London Olympics - a bronze in the 10m air rifle event.
After two days of misery, during which the Indian archers shot like novices at Lord's, this was the day for one of the most riveting Olympic rivalries between two Indians.
Even though Narang and Bindra never admit their rivalry, when the two stand in their shootings lanes and fire at the target situated 10 metres away, they are trying to ougtun each other.
Beijing Olympics champion Bindra had a huge slump in form and was under pressure, as a result of which he could score only 594 and did not make the final. The 29-year-old Indian was not shooting the way he does and the consistency was missing. Once he shot three 9s in the last series, he was down in the dumps.
But put this man in the shooting range and he is a picture of concentration. On Monday, the burly Narang was confidence personified. Compared to the rest of the shooters in the hall, he took more time to complete his 60 shots in the preliminary phase. But all that was preparation for his superb 598/600 where he began with two straight 100s and then scored a 98.
In the final, the lead virtually changed hands after every shot. For some time, it looked like Niccolo Campriani was emerging as the champion. However, in a last burst, Romania's Alin George Moldoveanu clinched gold with consistent efforts for an aggregate of 702.1.
As the giant electronic scoreboards flashed the result, Narang, who till then stood like a statue, showed the first sign of emotion. He waved to the hall and then lifted his air rifle.
Coach Stanislaus Lapidus was, however, not too pleased with Narang's effort. "He should have become the champion today. I am very sad," said Lapidus, who has been helping out all the rifle shooters.
Later, speaking at the press conference, Narang said: "I agree with my coach. Now that I have two more events to compete in, so he is going to keep me away from you (the media)."