Champion shooter Abhinav Bindra says he may play 2016 Olympics

Olympic gold medalist shooter Abhinav Bindra on Monday said that he is not thinking too far ahead and will decide next year about his future course of action for the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifiers.

"I will think about it next year. At this moment I don't have any plans. Let's see how it goes. I don't believe in planning much for the future," Bindra told IANS on the sidelines of a programme organised by Samsung to felicitate the 17th Asian Games medal winners, here.

This is in contradiction to Bindra's earlier statements. Bindra, 32, had earlier announced his retirement from professional shooting before the Asian Games.

"Tomorrow will mark the end of my professional shooting life! I will however still shoot, compete as a hobby shooter training twice a week," he had tweeted on September 22, a day prior to his participation in the Incheon Asiad.

But now he says that he has eyes set on the Rio Olympics.

"And yes I will still try to be at Rio and my bio is now most appropriate! Great times and am sure there will be a few more!"

Bindra won two bronze medals for India at the Asian Games in Incheon, in the 10m Air Rifle team individual and team events. India finished with 57 medals.

In 2008, he became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, claiming top spot in the 10m Air Rifle event at the Beijing Games.