Looking Back At 2008 Beijing Olympics: Abhinav Bindra Puts India On Global Map With First-Ever Individual Gold
New Delhi: The 2008 Beijing Olympics was a watershed moment in Indian sports as shooter Abhinav Bindra brought home the first-ever individual gold medal from that Games. Bindra clinched the top spot in men’s 10m air rifle event. Beijing saw India triple their medals tally as compared to Athens four years back as wrestler Sushil Kumar and boxer Vijender Singh added bronze medals to Bindra’s gold-medal winning effort.
Overall, hosts China topped the medals table with 48 gold, upstaging traditional powerhouse USA – who won only 36 gold. However, the Americans managed to win 112 medals as compared to 100 won by China. Russia once again finished in third place with 60 medals, including 24 gold.