Need a bit of luck on the day: Sodhi

He will be more than happy if a little bit of luck goes in his favour, but medal hopeful Ronjan Sodhi made it clear that Indian shooters will have no excuse to offer as far as weather and range conditions are concerned during the Olympic Games.

Barring those whose events are to be held indoors, the English weather could prove to be crucial to the shooters' performances.

"It is level-playing field out there and the weather and range will affect all the shooters, so that is going to be no excuse," Sodhi said at the Games Village.

Sodhi agreed that the weather will have maximum impact in his double trap event, but added that one has to be prepared for it.

"See I have been in this sport for a long time and having being World Champion in 2009 and winner of World Cup, I know how it works. You may be the greatest shooter of all time but you need a bit of luck on a particular day."

Talking about the (The Royal Artillery Barracks) Range, where the shooting events will take place, Sodhi said, "It is good and no cause for any excuse."

Asked how he was feeling at the Games village, the ace shooter replied, "Well the initial excitement has died down, now I am feeling relaxed and good. It is good to be with some of the best sportspersons in the world. Having said that I must say I am enjoying every moment in the village."

Sodhi, who finished seventh in this year's World Championship, was of the view that the score of 145 out of 150 at this range will be good to be in the final.

And about the field, he said: "Well, needless to say it is very tough. There are 22 shooters including current World No 1 Peter Wilson (England) and Joshua Richmond (USA). I named them because you asked me, otherwise all the participants start with same advantage/disadvantage before the start of the event.

Sodhi is well aware of the hopes and expectations back home in India.

"I and my team mates are eagerly awaiting for the start of the competition. There is no doubt that Indian shooters have done very well in recent times -- (RVS) Rathore (silver in  Athens 2004) Abhinav Binda (gold in Beijing 2008) have raised the profile of the sport and hopes of the people. Let us hope for the best this time too."