After winning India’s first gold in rowing, Bajrang Lal Takhar trains his sights on bringing more laurels for country in years to come.
Rajputana Rifles is one of the most decorated regiments in Indian Army. Their warriors have shone in many battles.
The Regiment gave India another hero on Friday when Bajrang Lal Takhar created history by clinching the first ever gold in rowing in the men’s single sculls event on the seventh day of the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
It is only fitting that the armyman has brought laurels to the country in the most gruelling of sports which demands the highest level of endurance and strength.
The most poignant moment was at the medal ceremony when an emotional Takhar saluted the tri-colour with the national anthem playing in the background. “Kuhshi ka pal hota hai, khushi ke ansson aa jaate hain (It’s a moment of great joy, tears of joy are natural),” said Takhar, a Subedar in the army.
Amongst the celebrations and the rewards that will follow his triumph, the moment he is looking forward to the most is to see his name on the walls of the Ilyas Babbar Gymnasium, named after the legendary India and Rajputana Rifles long-distance coach. The honour is reserved for the best sportsmen of RR.
“I raced with a calm mind and adhered to the words of our coach, Ismail Baig. I did not feel any pressure and just enjoyed the race. I led from start to finish and it turned out to be a perfect race,” Takhar, who was a silver medallist in 2006 at Doha, said.
“I had missed the gold at Doha by micro seconds. At that moment I had decided that I had to win in the next Asiad. Today’s win is the result of four years of hardwork. It’s a gruelling sport but my determination was so strong that the more tough the training, the more I enjoyed it.
“In the Asian Championship, where I won the gold, and in Beijing Olympics, where I lost in the quarters, I had raced against the same field. I was confident I would win. In the heats also I had got the best timing.”
He said, he owes all his success to the Indian Army. “I started rowing after joining the army. Our senior Jenil Thomas was our inspiration and we learnt a lot from him.”
Takhar admitted that the expectations will increase, but he candidly declared that to hope for a medal at the Olympics the Indian rowers will need much better facilities. “We don’t have a single artificial course. We still train in dirty waters in Hyderabad. Compared to us, the Chinese have 16 artificial courses. We don’t have a modern gym for weight training or argometric machines. It is not possible to compete at the world level without the best of facilities.”
The 29-year-old rower is hungry for more success and has trained his sights on winning medals for many more years for India. Age is not a factor, said Takhar and his inspiration is none other than Sachin Tendulkar. “If Sachin can perform so well at this age, why can’t we.”
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