No big promises
Bangladesh's premier shooter Abdullah Hel Baki is not making any big promises regarding his chances in his pet event of 10m air rifle in Rio Olympics, rather he is thrilled with being on the same platform with the best shooters in the world.
The Commonwealth Games silver medallist, who will be making his bow at the Olympic Shooting Centre in Deodoro today (6pm Bangladesh time), said he is not feeling any stage fright but believes his preparation for the big event could have been better.
"I have practised only three days since I arrived here in Rio on August 1. The first two days I practised for one hour each while yesterday [Friday] I practised for half an hour. When I am at home I usually practise six hours a day," Baki told The Daily Star yesterday.
Baki shot to fame in 2014 when he won the silver medal in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, scoring 202.1 points in the final round, after having shot 620 in qualification, to finish behind Gagan Narang of India. The 27-year-old Gazipur native said he has been in touch with Narang, who came here along with his Indian teammates a few weeks ago which should give them an edge apart from their being superior technically.
"It would have been better if I could have come here by July 25. Even the Indian shooters, who are expecting to fight for medals or at least move into the final round, have arrived here on July 11. This gives them an edge," Baki said, adding: "The technology and equipment we use back home are at least 10 years behind what the best players of the world use. So it's difficult to match them."
Baki was looking to become the first Bangladeshi to qualify for the Olympics and took part in quite a few qualification campaigns since last year, including one in Rio de Janeiro this year. Even though he failed to earn the quota place in any of those events, he thinks that the experience will help him in good stead on the biggest stage of all.
"These experiences have helped me become more focused and more confident and more aware of the technical aspects of the game, which might not have been possible had I not taken part in those events," felt Baki, who is already excited to be among the best in the world of sports, and he is ready to take home a once-in-a-lifetime experience even if he does not make his mark in these games.
"This is the Olympics and nothing could be better than this. We get to see a lot of stars at the Games village every day. I think all of those who participate at the Olympics are stars. It has been a great experience for me so far."
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