“When kids my age were picking up toy cars, I used to buy toy guns.” –Gagan Narang
When he was just 2 years old he shot a balloon with a toy gun. That was a sign of greater things to follow and yes they did! From toy guns to real rifles, the transition was quite extraordinary.
One of the best rifle shooters in the world, Gagan Narang has had a long and exciting career. His golden run at the start of his career, the newfound focus on training new shooters, and the strong will to continue shooting is commendable.
Today we explore all these and many more of such aspects in Gagan Narang’s biography.
Gagan Narang Biography
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Family Background
Gagan with his parents. Image Source: Rediff
Born to Punjabi parents, Bhimsen and Amarjit Narang, Gagan grew up in Chennai. His father is a retired Chief Manager of Air India. Though originally from Panipat in Haryana, the family shifted when his father was transferred to Chennai.
It was his father who introduced Gagan to an air pistol in 1997. Right from his childhood, he had an inclination of Gagan’s talent. He built a shooting arena in their home for Gagan to practice.
Gagan Narang shooting journey
In 2003, Narang won the gold medal at the Afro Asian Games in Hyderabad. He won the award in men’s 10m air rifle competition. This golden spree continued with air rifle gold medal at the 2006 World Cup.
The 2006 Commonwealth was very special for Narang with a staggering tally of four gold medals. He also won the top honours at the 2008 World cup in China. Subsequently, he qualified for the 2008 ISSF World Cup Final.
The next edition of the Commonwealth Games, the 2010 New Delhi Games, were again truly golden for Narang. Again, he won four gold medals. He also shot a perfect score of 600 in the 10 m air rifles singles event and set a new record.
On the opening day of the Asian Games, Narang won a silver medal.
At the London Olympics, Narang scripted his name in history, as well as the hearts of all Indians, by winning the bronze medal in the 10 m air rifle event with a score of 701.1.
“This is the only medal I didn’t have in my cabinet, so now I can pin it on there,” he told The Hindu Business Line in an interview after his victory.
Also Read: The Incredible Journey of Indian Shooting
Interesting Facts about Gagan Narang
- Narang works with Air India as an Assistant Manager.
- At the 2012 Indian Grand Prix, he was invited to wave the chequered flag.
- He was the flag bearer at the 2010 Asian Games.
May we think of freedom not as the right to do what we please but as an opportunity to do what is right..#HappyIndependenceDay #स्वतंत्रतादिवस की शुभकामनाएं#Throwback #asiangames Flag bearer 2010 pic.twitter.com/ib4QrlyhcN
— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) August 15, 2018
- Narang is supported by the Olympic Gold Quest.
- Barack Obama, former US President, has always been a huge inspiration for Narang. Legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali, is another of his icons.
- Narang’s hobbies include playing table tennis and cricket. He also follows tennis, and Roger Federer is his favourite sportsperson.
- Narang is a big fan of Chinese food.
- His favourite actresses are Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz.
- Narang’s favourite destination in the world is Langkawi in Malaysia.
- Photography has become a passion for Narang. In an interview with the DNA, he spoke about his new love.
“The one per cent [important thing] is photography. Whenever I get little time, I just go out in the jungle. Everybody knows that they can either find me at the range, or they can never find me at all because I’m always in the jungle and out of network otherwise.”
Some of the amazing clicks shared by Narang on Twitter-
Find your purpose
Become Unstoppable #bandhavgarh #throwback #wildlifephotography pic.twitter.com/ly344zxfnq— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) January 29, 2019
Theres a lot to learn from the Animal Kingdom
Coming together is a beginning
Keeping together is progress
Working together is Success#AsiaticWaterBuffalo#KazirangaNationalPark pic.twitter.com/XPjCTDOiTN
— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) February 14, 2019
- Narang was really hurt after being ignored time and again for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. In fact, he threatened to boycott the 2010 Commonwealth Games to protest. It was at the insistence of his family and friends that he changed his mind. Finally, in 2011, he received the most prestigious sporting award in the country at the hands of then President, Pratibha Patil.
Guns for Glory
After an extremely successful career, Narang wants to take the role of a mentor now. With this aim in life, he has started the academy Guns for Glory in Pune, Maharashtra. Now there are 16 training centres across the country under the brand.
“Not just shooting, across all sports, there are so many young athletes. I am happy to play a small part in their success. I am looking forward to some great performances from the young guns,” he told the Hindu.
Humbled to Launch our Sport Development Academy and its 1st Train the Trainers Program for Academy coaches with Philip Bernhard from Germany and Mrs Sudha Sastri
I thank #NRAI , my friends from the sporting community and everyone of you who have supported us… Thank you!! pic.twitter.com/rf5vLczwJK— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) March 3, 2019
He has also partnered on a project- Project Leap, to offer top-class training facilities and infrastructure to the top talent from Guns for Glory.
Achievements
Awards
- Padma Shree Award, 2011
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, 2011
Olympics
Year | Place | Event | Medal |
2012 | London, UK | 10 m air rifle | Bronze |
ISSF World Medal Tally
Championship | Event | Place | Year | Medal |
ISSF World Shooting Championships | 10 m air rifle | Munich, Germany | 2010 | Bronze |
ISSF World Cup | 50 m rifle 3 positions | Changwon, China | 2009 | Gold |
ISSF World Cup | 10 m air rifle | Changwon, China | 2009 | Bronze |
ISSF World Cup Final | 10 m air rifle | Bangkok, Thailand | 2008 | Gold |
ISSF World Cup | 10 m air rifle | Beijing, China | 2008 | Bronze |
ISSF World Cup | 10 m air rifle | Guangzhou, China | 2006 | Gold |
World Championships
Year | Place | Event | Medal |
2010 | Munich, Germany | 10 m air rifle | Bronze |
Commonwealth Championships
Year | Place | Event | Medal |
2005 | Melbourne, Australia | 10 m air rifle | Gold |
2005 | Melbourne, Australia | 10 m air rifle pairs | Gold |
2005 | Melbourne, Australia | 10 m air rifle badge | Silver |
2010 | Delhi, India | 10 m air rifle | Gold |
2010 | Delhi, India | 10 m air rifle pairs | Gold |
2010 | Delhi, India | 10 m air rifle badge | Gold |
2010 | Delhi, India | 50 m rifle 3 positions pairs | Gold |
2010 | Delhi, India | 50 m rifle prone pairs | Gold |
2010 | Delhi, India | 50 m rifle prone badge | Gold |
2010 | Delhi, India | 50 m rifle 3 positions | Silver |
2010 | Delhi, India | 50 m rifle prone | Silver |
2017 | Brisbane, Australia | 50 m rifle prone | Silver |
Asian Games
Year | Place | Event | Medal |
2006 | Doha, Qatar | 10 m air rifle team | Bronze |
2006 | Doha, Qatar | 50 m rifle 3 positions individual | Bronze |
2006 | Doha, Qatar | 50 m rifle 3 positions team | Bronze |
2010 | Guangzhou, China | 10 m air rifle individual | Silver |
2010 | Guangzhou, China | 10 m air rifle team | Silver |
Commonwealth Games
Year | Place | Event | Medal |
2006 | Melbourne, Australia | 10 m air rifle individual | Gold |
2006 | Melbourne, Australia | 10 m air rifle pairs | Gold |
2006 | Melbourne, Australia | 50 m rifle 3 positions individual | Gold |
2006 | Melbourne, Australia | 50 m rifle 3 positions pairs | Gold |
2010 | Delhi, India | 10 m air rifle individual | Gold |
2010 | Delhi, India | 10 m air rifle pairs | Gold |
2010 | Delhi, India | 50 m rifle 3 positions individual | Gold |
2010 | Delhi, India | 50 m rifle 3 positions pairs | Gold |
2014 | Glasgow, Scotland | 50 m rifle prone | Silver |
2014 | Glasgow, Scotland | 50 m rifle 3 positions | Bronze |
Gagan Narang Net Worth
After his historic Olympic bronze medal, Narang won numerous cash prizes and other goodies. Some of them are US$140,000 by Haryana state government, US$70,000 by Andhra Pradesh government, US$70,000 by Rajasthan, US$28,000 by Steel ministry of India, and 2 kg of gold by Sahara India Pariwar.
Social Media
After a mixed break of few months the longest i have taken in the past 21 years that I have been shooting . feels good to be getting back to the grind today.. Baby steps one at a time .. wish me luck..? @OGQ_India pic.twitter.com/x9Gc21TUT9
— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) January 27, 2019
A new start to Indias #Olympic dream in Odisha Thank you @Naveen_Odisha ji and @AdityaBirlaGrp for the support. #OdishaAllForSports #MakeInOdisha @RahulBose1 @anilkumble1074 pic.twitter.com/hQe6bGAjJU
— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) November 13, 2018
माँ के लिये क्या लिखूँ मैं..माँ की ही तो लिखावट हूँ मैं.#HappyMothersDay pic.twitter.com/uyHihzvOzV
— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) May 13, 2018
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