In an insightful session moderated by Boria Majumdar, sports journalist and historian, Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra delved deep into the themes of reinvention, dealing with success and failure, and the subtle nuances of competitive sports that often go unnoticed by the public.
Some of the key moments of the conversation:
The Thin Line of 0.1 in Sports
The discussion kicked off with a poignant anecdote from the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Bindra narrowly missed a medal by 0.1 points—a margin that most might see as negligible, but which in the realm of competitive shooting, can mean the difference between standing on the podium and walking away empty-handed. Boria Majumdar set the stage by recalling how Abhinav Bindra used the visual of a single hair strand at a distance of 10 meters to illustrate the minuscule yet significant gap that defined his Olympic outcome. This powerful image served as a gateway into understanding the immense precision and pressure inherent in Bindra’s sport.
Confronting Success and its Aftermath
Abhinav Bindra shared that while many athletes struggle with failure, his most challenging moment came from his success—the gold medal win at the Beijing Olympics in August 2008. This pinnacle achievement led to a personal crisis, where the relentless pursuit that had defined his life suddenly lacked direction. His narrative moved from the highs of Olympic gold to the introspective silence of a Vipassana meditation retreat, where he hoped to find a new path. Instead, he discovered his undying passion for the sport, realising that his love for the process and execution of shooting was far from over.
Embracing the Process and Managing Energy
The conversation then shifted towards how Abhinav Bindra managed his energy and motivation after achieving his dreams. He discussed the concept of climbing from one peak to another, emphasising the need for energy management rather than just time management. Abhinav Bindra spoke about how maintaining an 'energy journal' became a tool for self-awareness and maintaining motivation through the highs and lows of his career.
The Role of Empathy in Leadership and Competition
A significant portion of the conversation centred on th erole of empathy, both in sports and in leadership. Bindra reflected on the strong, empathetic bonds he shared with his coaches, which were crucial during both his successes and failures. He points out that empathy not only aids in personal connections but also strengthens leadership — a lesson valuable for everyone, athlete or not.
Life Beyond the Range
Looking towards the future and his own reinvention, Bindra discussed his commitment to using his experience and platform to impact others positively. His post-retirement activities include the Olympic Value Education Program in Odisha and Assam, which aims to bring 200,000 underprivileged children into the fold of sports, emphasizing the transformational power of sports education.
Reflecting on Perfection and Adaptability
Abhinav Bindra talked about the pursuit of perfection, a pursuit familiar to him and many top-level athletes. He spoke about a crucial shift in mindset from striving to be perfect in training to being adaptable in competition — recognising that perfect conditions are a rarity. The real skill lies in achieving perfection on imperfect days, a philosophy that has guided him through the turbulence of athletic competition and life.
Boria Majumdar’s conversation with Abhinav Bindra shed light on the unseen struggles of a world-class athlete and imparted significant lessons on dealing with success, the importance of mental health, and the power of empathy. Abhinav Bindra’s journey from Olympic champion to a mentor and advocate for sports education encapsulated a journey of true reinvention, marked by a relentless pursuit of growth and the betterment of others.
