Bindra

BP Bam

It pays to value the role of sports psychology. More so if you happen to study the subject just like Abhinav Bindra did before he became the country's first individual Olympic gold medallist.

"In fact, he is a sports psychologist," BP Bam revealed to MiD DAY yesterday, a day after Bindra's Beijing heroics.

Bam is no stranger to the field of shooting and sports psychology having helped exponents like Anjali Bhagwat, Suma Shirur and a host of other shooters and sportsmen including cricketers.

Bam is a retired IG of Police and recently authored a book Winning Habits Techniques for Excellence in Sports.

"I've known Abhinav for quite a few years now. I was with him at the Atlanta World Cup (in 2002). I've not worked with him, but we spoke a lot on the mental aspect of shooting. He was studying sports psychology then and preparing for his exams," said Bam.

"He's a great shooter, very balanced. He takes victory and defeat well. He can only go on to greater heights from here.

"He has that grit, determination and that ability to focus FULLY on the task at hand. That's what he did in Beijing. He faltered at one stage but held his nerve and recovered soon," said Bam.