I achieved what I came here to do: Narang

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Bronze medallist Gagan Narang of India poses with the bronze medal won in the Men’s 10m Air-rifle event.

London - Shooter Gagan Narang, who won India’s first medal at the London Olympics, a bronze in 10-metre air rifle, said Monday that he had achieved what he came for.

The gold went to Romanian Alin George Moldoveanu with a total score of 702.1 (599 qualifying, 103.1 final) and Italian Niccolo Campriani bagged the silver with 701.5 (599 qualifying, 102.5 final).

Narang, who is participating in his third Games, had a total score of 701.1 (598 qualifying, 103.1 final). Going into the final round, Narang was third.

“Whatever I came here to do, I have achieved. I have had a great journey, I have had my share of ups and downs but it has been very exciting,” Narang told reporters here.

“It still doesn’t feel like I have won an Olympics medal. This medal has evaded me and I have finally got it.”

It was the third time in row that Indian shooters had won medals at the Olympics. Double trap shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won the silver in 2004, Abhinav Bindra gave India a historic gold in Beijing, and now Narang has bagged a bronze in London.

“I had to complete the set in the shooting. We had a gold, silver and I got the bronze,” he said smiling.

Narang is also slated to take part in the 50m rifle 3-position and 50m rifle prone later.

“I hope for the best, will look to give it my all in those events as well.”

Bindra, India’s only individual Olympic gold medallist, failed to qualify as he shot 594 to finish 16th out of 47 contestants.