Four years ago, Vijay Kumar could scarcely find time between felicitation ceremonies. Today as India's Rio-bound shooting contingent braces for a final dress rehearsal at the June 20-29 World Cup, London Olympics silver medallist Vijay makes a discreet return to the shooting range after a 40-day break at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.
"Sport is all about highs and lows," Vijay, who finished second in the 25m rapid fire pistol event in London, told ESPN, adding that he has no regrets for not making it to this Olympics. "If I haven't made it to the Olympics this time it's because there were other shooters who were more deserving than me. I'll watch the Olympics on TV and cheer our players. I have no regrets."
Ranked Subedar Major in the Dogra regiment, Vijay picks Jitu Rai as the unequivocal favourite to bring home a medal for India in the sport. "Jitu has been a consistent performer and I would be very surprised if he does not win a medal in Rio. He's India's best bet for a podium finish in shooting."
Vijay feels that what often works best for an athlete in an enormous stage like the Olympics is having no hopes or expectations strung to him. "Ronjan Singh Sodhi was the clear favourite for a medal ahead of the London Olympics. I think somewhere that worked against him and probably to my benefit." With all hopes pinned on fellow armyman Jitu this year, adds Vijay, the danger of a similar fate lurks.
"Like Jitu this year, it was my maiden Olympic appearance in London and I was very excited. I wasn't touted as a medal contender so I could perform a lot more freely. Jitu needs to be on guard and not allow the pressure or the excitement get to him."
Resuming training last week, Vijay, who spent the last month and a half with his family in Harsour, Himachal Pradesh counts on the positives of not having an Olympics to work towards this year -- chiefly, quality family time. "It's the one thing I couldn't afford over the past few years."
"It's the kind of success that pales all other achievements to nothingness. It stays with you for life."
In 2014, Vijay along with Gurpreet Singh and Pemba Tamang, won silver in the 25m centre fire pistol event at the Incheon Asian Games. However, later that year, his career took a big hit following surgery for cervical spondylitis and rehab which necessitated a change in shooting technique. In the Asian Olympic qualifiers in January this year, he finished fifth in a six-man field, failing, as a result, to secure a 25m rapid fire quota at the Olympics.
"It took a huge toll on my training and it was also the reason I couldn't put up a great performance and qualify for the Olympics," he said. "In a procedure sport like shooting, where posture and concentration matter a lot, this changed everything. I was confined to the bed for close to two months. Thankfully, I've recovered now. Once the Olympics is over all the shooters will be back to competing with each other at selection trials and domestic competitions. Life will soon return to normal."
The five Olympic rings etched in the form of a tattoo on his right forearm suggest his indestructible desire for yet another shot at the ultimate sporting glory. "It's the kind of success that pales all other achievements to nothingness. It stays with you for life."