Five most iconic moments in the career of Olympian Vijay Kumar

The Indian shooter has won several accolades on the international stage.

India has had an influx of exceptional athletes in shooting in the last decade. Olympian Vijay Kumar is one of the leading sportspersons in India. The retired army officer has made the country proud on various occasions.

He is one of the very few Indian athletes who have won an individual medal in the Summer Olympics. While Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang are more prominent Olympians, Kumar’s contribution to the sport of shooting can’t be overlooked.

Taking a look back at the sporting career of the decorated shooter, he has achieved some major honors. Here are the five major achievements from Vijay’s career in sports: 

5. Silver at the ISSF World Championships

India’s performance in the World Shooting Championships organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has always been strong. Vijay Kumar has also won medals at different editions of the tournament like many other Indian shooters.

He has two silver medals at the World Championships. The Indian athlete won the silver during the 2009 Beijing edition in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event. He won the silver medal yet again at the 2011 Fort Benning Championships in the same event.

4. National Awards

Vijay Kumar is a celebrated Indian athlete. He has served the country proudly both in the army and through his contribution to the sport of shooting. He has received several national honors thanks to incredible performances internationally and for his service to the nation.

The retired army officer received the Arjuna Award in 2007. He also won the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award - the highest sporting honor in India - in 2012. The marksman received the Padma Shri - the fourth highest civilian award in 2013.   

3. Golds at the Commonwealth Games

Vijay Kumar dominated the Commonwealth Games across different editions. His record in the multi-sports meet is incredible to say the least. The athlete has one silver and five gold medals overall in various installments of the Commonwealth Games. 

He won his first gold at the 2006 Melbourne Games in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol (Singles) event and followed up with another gold in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol (Pairs) event. His best performance came during the 2010 Delhi Games. He won three gold medals and one silver, becoming one of the most successful Indians at the meet.

2. Silver at the Asian Games

One of Kumar’s most notable achievements is the silver medal at the Asian Games. The competition is always fierce when it comes to shooting events. However, Vijay Kumar secured a silver at the 2014 Incheon Games in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol (Team) event. He teamed up alongside Pemba Tamang and Gurpreet SIngh to achieve the podium place.

Additionally, The Olympian also has two bronze medals at the Asian Games. He won each of his two bronze medals at the 2006 Doha and 2010 Guangzhou Games from the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol and 25m Centre Fire Pistol events respectively. 

1. Silver at the Olympics

The silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics is by far the biggest achievement from Vijay Kumar’s illustrious career. He is one of the four shooters who have won an individual medal at the Olympics for India. 

He achieved this feat when he won the silver in the 25 m rapid fire pistol event. This was India’s most successful medal haul at any Olympics. Thanks to impressive performances by several athletes, India managed six medals overall which included two silvers and four bronze medals. 

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