I will feel I have reached the summit when I win Olympic gold: Jitu Rai

You have won two medals in two days. How happy are you?
It was different yesterday (Saturday) after the gold. But now, after missing the gold today (Sunday) in the team event, I'm upset because I could not do my best.

Describe the celebrations last at the Games Village on Saturday...
No celebration. My co-shooters congratulated me. The Nepal shooters also congratulated me. I could not even call my mother because I wanted to concentrate on today's (Sunday) competition. I will call her now. There will be celebrations for sure once I go back. My army mates will welcome me.

You must be tired after competing non-stop since June...
Yes, I am very tired. I want to go to the mountains and meditate. Mentally, I am very tired after training and competing day in and day out since June. But I can't relax now as I will be competing in the World Cup finals after a few days. I'm the lone qualifier from India.

Tell us what happened today (Sunday)? You shot such a poor last shot...
The crowd started clapping loudly as the shooter ahead of me hit a 10.9. As one gets only 50 seconds to shoot, I thought I was running out time. I panicked and pulled the trigger in hurry. I could only score a 7.8. This mistake is not normal, but happens when you don't shoot in time. Had I committed a time violation, it would have been a zero.

Why were you taking so long to pull the trigger during the entire match?
Actually, I was not used to the weapon I was using. My original weapon velocity was bad and I had to send it to the factory for repair. So, I used a different one given to me by the army.

Was it also because of the back-to-back events?
Certainly, two events in two days are very exhausting. I could not fire more than a few shots in the air after my 50 metres air pistol gold on Saturday. Mentally, I was drained out and could not really prepare well for this 10 metres air pistol team event.

You have won seven medals since June. Do you think this is the best any shooter can achieve?
Yes, seven medals in a year (is a big achievement). But I have not scaled a huge mountain. I am normal. I will feel that I have the reached summit when I win the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Tell us what was going on between the event, when your coach (Pavel Smirnov) said something to you...
I have a huge rapport with my coach. As a player, I do get carried away sometimes. But with his vast experience, he knows exactly when I need a little rest during the event.

Has Smirnov also made you make a few changes in your shooting style?
I have never changed my shooting style. Yes, my coach has certainly worked on my technique. And being a good student, I have always listened to him followed all his programmes.

After the medal ceremony, you were looking shy when a local girl approached you for a photograph?
I am very shy of girls, whether Korean or Indian (blushes).

Do you have any plans to focus on one particular event?
I will continue to concentrate on both events (50 metres and 10 metres).\

What do you do on the eve of a competition?
Every day, I pray to God and remember my father and mother. As my dad is no more, I will call my mother in Nepal and tell her about my achievements in recent days. She doesn't even know that I have won a gold medal here. I have not spoken to her for the last one month because of my busy schedule and continuous travelling.

Do you follow any other sport?
I don't watch any other sport. And I don't have the time for other sport like India-Pakistan hockey match. I have to train hard for the World Cup finals. If I don't train for a few days, I feel very bad.