Abhijit Deshmukh from Chateauroux
As I stood in the mixed zone, waiting for Indian shooters Aishwarya Pratap Tomar and Swapnil Kusale, a wave of recognition washed over me. Amid the sea of faces, one stood out — Victor Lindgren of Sweden. The silver medallist in men’s 10m air-rifle had captivated audiences worldwide with his precision and poise. This was the event where India’s Arjun Babuta had narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth.
Victor Lindgren is not just a sharpshooter; he is a craftsman in every sense of the word. Back in Sweden, he works as a welder, a profession that has uniquely equipped him for the world of competitive shooting.
“Welding helps with concentration. If you need to have the best welding or the best thing you’re building, you need to be concentrated. You need that in rifle as well,” Victor said, after having failed to reach the 50m rifle 3 positions final. The 21-year-old, who completed his studies last summer, has been working as a welder for a year, crafting his skills in the workshop and on the shooting range.
His face lit up with enthusiasm, as he talked about his love for welding. “I like it. You can build things you can use in shooting, like a stand,” he added, bridging his two worlds with a sense of innovation and purpose.
Returning home as an Olympic medallist is a surreal experience, and Victor is soaking it all in. “I don’t know when because the (Swedish) Olympic committee will celebrate after we go back to Sweden. I’m supposed to go to Gothenburg, but now I have to go to Stockholm. After that, I will go back to work.” The prospect of a vacation loomed on his horizon, a well-deserved break after the adrenaline-fuelled whirlwind of the Olympics.
Asked if his boss would grant him extra time off, Victor grinned. “I think so. I haven’t told him yet, but I think I will tell him today. Hopefully, he will give me some more vacation.” It’s a conversation many of us might dread, but Victor approached it with the same calm confidence he demonstrates on the range.
Victor’s parents, although present at the Chateauroux shooting range, were unable to watch him claim his medal from the stands. “They bought tickets, but it was for trap. Then, they wanted to have some for the final, but they were sold out because there were not so many places to sit. They came into the arena (building) and could watch on the big screen, and I knew they were there. I was just happy to have them here. When I did the doping control, I went out to see my parents and we had happy tears. They were able to feel the medal and hold it, and we took pictures.” The moment was a testament to family love and support, transcending the barriers of distance and sold-out seats.
Instead of partying on the night of July 29, Victor chose to rest in his hotel room, conserving his energy for the 50m rifle 3 position pre-event on July 30, followed by the competition the next day. His dedication was unwavering, even in the midst of victory.
The Olympics are a stage for life lessons, a melting pot of human stories that inspire and amaze. Whether it’s Tania Zeng qualifying at the age of 58 in table tennis or Nada Hafez of Egypt competing in fencing while seven months pregnant, these narratives showcase resilience and passion. And then there’s Victor Lindgren, the welder from Sweden, who found motivation in his day job and channelled it into a silver medal for his country. An inspiration, indeed.
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