Abhinav Bindra Honors His First Coach and Prepares for Winter Olympics

Abhinav Bindra Pays Tribute to His First Coach

Abhinav Bindra, the gold medalist shooter from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, expressed his sorrow and shared a heartfelt message following the passing of his childhood coach, Lt. Col. J.S. Dhillon, on Wednesday. Bindra attributed much of his success to Dhillon, who imparted essential life lessons such as perseverance, discipline, and the importance of hard work. Bindra's shooting career commenced at a young age, and he acknowledged that Dhillon's mentorship was pivotal in his development.

In a post on X, Bindra stated, "Today, my heart is heavy. I lost my first coach, my guide, and someone who believed in me long before the world knew my name. Col. J. S. Dhillon was the person who gave me my earliest lessons, not just in shooting, but in life. He taught me perseverance when things felt difficult, discipline when I wanted to take shortcuts, and the value of hard work when results did not come immediately."

"He never promised success. He assured me that if I remained committed to the process and gave my best every single day, the results would follow. That belief has accompanied me through every challenge, setback, and pivotal moment in my career. A part of who I am today exists because of what he taught me in those early years. For that, I will always remain deeply grateful. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. I hope they find some comfort in knowing how many lives he shaped and how deeply he will be missed. Rest in peace, Sir. Thank you for giving me the foundation that carried me through a lifetime," Bindra concluded.

Bindra Named Torch-Bearer for 2026 Winter Olympics

In other news, Bindra has been chosen as a torch-bearer for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics Torch Relay. As India's first individual gold medalist in Olympic history, he shared this exciting news with his fans on social media, announcing his selection for the event scheduled to take place in Italy next year. This marks Bindra's second time participating in an Olympic Torch relay, having previously served as a torch-bearer for the Paris Olympics last year.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are set to occur in the Italian cities of Milano and Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 6 to 22 next year.