Take a row, Dushyant Singh

Rower Dushyant Singh was the only one who brought joy to the Indian contingent on Wednesday, the armyman winning the bronze medal in the men's lightweight single sculls.

India's women rowers, Sanjukta Dung and Tarunikha Pratap, finished fifth in the pair final.

Singh, who started as a kabaddi player before trying his hand at wrestling, became a rower after joining the Indian Army. Last year, he won the silver medal in the quadruple sculls at the world championships.

On Wednesday, the 21-year-old did falter in the last stretch of the 2,000-metre race but still managed to cross the finish line in third position. Hailing from Haryana, he led from 500 metres all the way till the last 200 before strong northerly winds and rain put paid to his gold medal hopes. He clocked 7:26.57, behind South Koreans Lok Kwan Hai and Lee Hakbeom.

Unlike the other athletes competing in these Games, the rowers always have to stay away from the contingent in faraway venues suited to their event. And back home in India, there are hardly any good lakes to train in. Every other rower chooses Hyderabad's Hussain Sagar Lake which is apt for holding training sessions and competitions.

The conditions were a bit difficult for all rowers after rain hit Incheon and its neighbouring areas. The weather was cool and but the conditions were windy. Mind you, the Indian had entered this category after dropping six kilos from 78 to 72.

"I thought I had better chances in this event," he said. The gruelling 2000-metre race, which is the last stage of the competition, requires strength and stamina. "I was sure I would win gold here," he told dna after the medal ceremony, adding: "Heavy winds in the last stretch cost me the gold medal."

Singh is a firm believer in destiny and wears a gold chain with the locket of a goddess around his neck. He will turn 22 next month and has a great future ahead.