A miracle has happened.
No one could have imagined it would happen.
For the first time, Indian shooter Kabir Vanvasi, participating in the Venezuela International Shooting Competition, won the gold medal. He lost only one point in the final round. This was nothing short of a miracle for a new participant.
The remaining two medals were won by the local teams of Venezuela.
Rohan Banjara made it into the top ten shooters but couldn’t secure a place in the final eight.
This was the first time that a player from an Asian country had won this competition. The coach, Srikanth George, could barely keep his feet on the ground upon arrival. He was overwhelmed with congratulations from people shaking his hand. Kabir was constantly surrounded by media photographers and other reporters.
He managed to run over to his coach, who lifted him up and twirled him around in front of everyone.
Rohan’s excitement was such that he had his arm around Kabir's shoulders, celebrating as if he had won the medal himself.
As the celebration continued to grow, a large crowd of spectators gathered in the section of the stadium where the award ceremony was to take place.
Many dignitaries and high officials had taken their positions. Journalists were continuously interviewing the organizers and players.
A crowd of boys and girls lined up to take selfies with Kabir.
The victory stand was decorated, with the national flags of India and Venezuela waving in the background.
Rohan and Kabir had now joined their coach, where several reporters were talking to them about the event and Kabir’s success, asking about their preparations.
Coach Srikanth's demeanor was like that of a glacier, visible above the water but submerged within. His happiness was doubled.
If only this were his country, his city, and his academy, the spectators would have lifted him in celebration.
Now they were waiting for the chief guest, who was to present the medals to the winners.
As the wait stretched on, murmurs began to spread among the audience that the presence of political figures as the main guest always tested the audience's patience. They do not pay attention to timing but rather to gathering a crowd of eager viewers before they arrive. Sometimes, to heighten the excitement, they can be seen waiting around the event venue to appear just when the crowd is buzzing with enthusiasm.
But here, nothing of that sort happened.
People saw that when the luxurious golden-green limousine of the chief guest arrived and came to a stop, it took a considerable amount of time for the guest to disembark.
This was not intentional but rather because the chief guest was a 94-year-old man who was being brought in on a wheelchair.
Oh! What were people thinking, and what was the reason for the delay?
The announcement over the microphone informed the crowd that the chief guest was a famous marksman from his time and now serves as the chief advisor to the event's organizing committee.
Kabir, standing on the victory stand, had tears in his eyes. Coach Srikanth George, seated in the audience, was feeling the same. Rohan let out a sharp whistle, creating a joyful sound as Kabir was adorned with the medal. Given the chief guest's age, all the players descended from the stand, bowing their heads to receive their medals and seeking blessings from the guest. Reporters were busy clicking pictures.
The sky bore witness to the golden glow of joy and excitement.
Just then, Kabir, Srikanth, and Rohan received the news that filled them with pride and astonishment.
They were invited to dinner at the residence of the chief guest, which was located a short distance away on a small island in a magnificent mansion secluded from the rest.
