Gold Medalist Jitu Rai has retired from the Indian Army to concentrate on training young shooters. The 36-year-old sportsman, born in Nepal and received the Padma Shri award, had been the sole Indian shooter to win gold at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
He was later promoted to honorary captain in the Army. Rai, who spent nearly 17 and a half years with the Gorkha Regiment in Lucknow, announced his retirement on social media.
On Facebook, Honorary Captain Jitu Rai, an Olympian shooter and recipient of the Padma Shri, Dhyan Chand Sports Ratna, and Arjuna Award, announced that his 17 years and 6 months of service with the Indian Army will conclude on July 1, 2024.
He expressed his gratitude for the Army’s generosity, which exceeded his expectations, and thanked his senior officers, coaches, colleagues, and juniors.
Jitu Rai has always played for the nation and the Army and plans to continue this commitment by sharing his experience and coaching future shooters. He will carry forward the discipline, dedication, and loyalty towards his country that the Army instilled in him throughout his career.
Remarkable Achievements Of Jitu Rai-
Rai, who competed in the 10m air pistol final at the 2016 Rio Olympics and finished in the last position, plans to establish a training facility in the coming years.
Rai has earned numerous accolades throughout his career. Along with winning a gold medal in the 50m pistol event and a bronze in the 10m air pistol competition at the Asian Games in Incheon, Rai has demonstrated his skills on various international stages.
He claimed gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and Gold Coast in 2018. Additionally, Rai secured a silver medal at the 2014 World Championships in Granada. His achievements also include two gold medals at World Cup events in Maribor and New Delhi, establishing him as a dominant force in the shooting world.
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