Rio 2016: Will win an Olympic medal for my country, says Chain Singh after recovering from pulmonary embolism

Rio de Janeiro: Having overcome an illness that almost shattered his Rio Olympics dream, rifle shooter Chain Singh is fit and hungry to win a medal at the highest level. [caption id=“attachment_1732239” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  India’s Chain Singh. AP[/caption] The 2014 Asian Games bronze medalist got the biggest blow of his career when he had to be hospitalised in Luzern, Switzerland after being diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, a condition where blood clots form in the veins of the patient causing breathing trouble. The Olympics was just fortnight’s away and there was speculation that he will be replaced by Sanjeev Rajput in the Rio-bound team for the two events of 50m prone and 50m 3 positions. It was the London Olympics bronze medalist Gagan Narang, who also shoots in the same events, who supported him and Chain kept praying to recover in time. “Gagan Sir was of great help in Switzerland when I fell sick as we were training together,” Chain told PTI. Gagan will also compete in the two events apart from 10m air rifle.“Gagan Sir is not a rival. He is our senior teammate, a friend and a great person.” “My prayers to God gave me strength and I became okay. Deep inside, I had a firm belief that I would shoot in Rio, it’s my dream. I more hungry now and will win an Olympic medal for my country,” he added. At the Hirslanden Klinik St Anna Hospital where he was admitted, the doctors also assured him that there would be no surgery. “I was sad when I was hospitalised but next day doctors told me there would be no surgery. There was a thought once that if I fall seriously ill I may not be able to shoot. But the doctors told me that I would be able to shoot within a week,” Chain, who won six gold medals at the South Asian Games earlier this year in Guwahati, said. “Although I am on medication but I am feeling better. After a long flight to Rio, I am taking rest and gradually getting back my rhythm. I feel fit and fine.” Chain was born in the militancy-infested Chansar Village of Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir and there “shooting” meant either films or the real gun-battle. He joined Army in 2008 and after picking up the sport he went on to win the junior national in 2009 in his pet rifle 3 positions. But his real journey began with his bronze medal win at the Asiad, Incheon-2014 and the next year he won a gold medal at the  International Shooting Competition of Hannover in May 2015. In three months’ time, he booked his ticket to Rio at the World Cup in Gabala, Azerbaijan. “Olympic Medal is my biggest dream and I want to achieve it this time,” Chain, who booked an Olympics berth by finishing eighth in the World Cup, said. A medal at the World Cup has been elusive but Chain said he’s improved in now. “My journey to Olympic participation has been very enjoyable, I participated in all World Cups, I was given opportunity to buy my own rifle, ammunition and kit. My scores have also improved a lot, though I missed the medals narrowly in the World Cups.” The Naik Subedar of the 13th J&K Light Infantry, Chain is latest to represent at the Olympics from the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow, which has produced silver medalist duo of Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Athens-2004) and Vijay Kumar (London-2012). This time, Mhow will have representation from shooting sensation Jitu Rai (10m air pistol, 50m pistol), Gurpreet Singh (10m air pistol, 25m rapid fire) and Chain. “It’s my second home. The Indian Army has given me everything and my unit stands by me wherever in the world I am.” On the secret of success from Mhow, he concluded stating: “The training we receive at AMU makes us the winners. We have world class ranges, best weapons, ammunition and testing facility there plus we see champions like Vijay and Jitu everyday. He is always of great help both off and on the field, I have learnt so many things from him.”