Shooter Jitu Rai retires from Indian Army to train young athletes

Famous Indian shooter Jitu Rai has decided to retire from the Indian Army to train young athletes, aiming to nurture them for international success. Rai, who comes from the Sankhuwasabha district of Nepal, thinks achieving success is not unattainable despite having a mediocre upbringing. At 36, he has already been honored with both the Khel Ratna and Padma Shri awards.

Rai announced his retirement from the Army on social media, thanking his seniors, coaches, officials, colleagues and juniors for helping him. He believes in discipline, dedication and faithfulness toward his nation. He said he would start a shooting academy, train upcoming shooters, and share his experiences with them. The post reads:

"I am Hony Capt. Jitu Rai, SM,VSM, Olympian shooter, Padma Shree Awardee Dhayan Chan Khel Ratna Awardee and Arjun awardee. Would like to inform all that my journey of 17 years and 6 months in the Indian Army was completed on 1st July 2024."

Notably, Jitu Rai was the first Indian shooter to win a gold medal in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, after which he was promoted to Honorary Captain from Subedar Major. Later, he retired after 17 and a half years of service, principally with the 11 Gorkha Regiment in Lucknow.

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Jitu Rai to apply for the post of high-performance coach in NRAI

Jitu Rai will also contest for the post of high-performance coach in the National Shooting Federation (NRAI). Rai has not yet decided on the location of his training academy for young athletes. He was quoted as saying by PTI:

“I plan to open a shooting academy though I have not decided on the location. It would be wrong on my part if I didn’t share my shooting experiences. If I get the opportunity to be a part of the national coaching staff that would be great."

“I have also heard that the National Shooting Federation (NRAI) has also advertised for the post of high-performance coach, so I will apply."

Jitu Rai was a powerful force in the Indian shooting realm; he received several awards, such as gold and bronze, in the 50m and 10m air pistol events, respectively, at the Asian Games.

Another feat attained by the ex-militant was gold in the Glasgow and Gold Coast rounds of the Commonwealth Games 2014 and 2018, respectively. He has won a silver medal at the 2014 Granada Worlds and a couple of gold medals at the World Cup events, both in Maribor and New Delhi.