Col.Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore | Defenceindia : Achievers 2008

Home

Soldiers' Speak Out

Counterpoint

A General Speaks

Col.Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

AVSM

Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, AVSM was a keen sportsman right from childhood. Rajyavardhan Rathore won innumerable medals in sports during his school days followed by selection (1984-85) in the Kendriya Vidyalaya School Games Federation of India Cricket Team which also earned him a scholarship. Following the longstanding family tradition, Rajyavardhan Rathore joined the National Defence Academy, Kharakwasla(January 1987-December1989) where he again excelled in the field of sports by winning Gold Medals in Boxing, Volleyball, Basketball, Cricket and Polo, which earned him the "NDA BLAZER" (the highest sports award of NDA).He continued his distinguished sports career through the Indian Military Academy(IMA-January-December1990) where he was awarded "THE BEST SPORTSMAN OF HIS COURSE”. Not content with being only a sportsman, he displayed excellence of the highest order in professional field as well by winning the "SWORD OF HONOUR" as the best all round Gentleman Cadet in the course.

Rajyavardhan carried out anti-terrorists operations in Kashmir Valley and lead many successful operations against terrorist and was cited for "SHAURYA CHAKRA" in 1996.

For his excellence thus far in the army, he was selected as Instructor at the Elite School of Military Training (1996-97) to impart tactical, technical knowledge and motivate the young officers and soldiers of the Army. This is where he first took up the discipline of Double Trap Shooting.

Having taken up the sport of shooting as late as 1998 Rajyavardhan Rathore refused to accept it as a limitation. He holds the National Championship title continuously since 1999 and has bettered his own record over and over again.

Rajyavardhan Rathore made his presence felt in a big way in the international arena at the 17th Commonwealth Games (2002), Manchester, where he won both the individual as well as team Gold Medals for India. Wherein, he defeated formidable opponents including 2000 Sydney Olympics Gold and Silver Medalists and the current World record holder. He set a new Commonwealth Games Record by shooting 191/200 targets.

Rajyavardhan Rathore continued his winning streak through the year 2003,winning an individual Gold Medal at the Asian Clay Shooting Championship, Delhi(2003). In the same year, he won both individual as well as team Bronze medals at the ISSF World Cup Shooting in New Delhi. He also went on to win a Gold Medal at the Afro-Asian Games held in Hyderabad in 2003 and a Bronze Medals at the World Shooting Championship 2003 at Cyprus.

The year 2004 really saw Rajyavardhan Rathore attaining his true potential by securing a string of signal achievement. He won a Gold Medal at the World Cup Shooting, Sydney (2004) by defeating the World record holder and the Olympic Champion. This was followed by a Gold Medal at the Asian Clay Shooting Championship at Bangkok both in individual as well as team event. Thereafter, he went on to win a yet another Gold Medal at the Master's Cup Championship event in Czech Republic in 2004.India's crowning glory was when Rajyavardhan won the Silver Medal at the Athens Olympic, 2004 which is truly unique achievement as no other Indian has been able to win that distinction in an individual event at Olympics in the history of our glorious country.

At his young age, he carries our national honours; Arjuna Award, Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna Award,Ati Vishisth Seva Medal and Padam Shri with great humility.

Col.Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has displayed highest levels of dedication, discipline and perseverance which has not only earned him unique distinction in the field of sports personally, but also brought great honour to the country. He is truly a unique combination of a sportsman of superlative degree, a professional soldier and a perfect gentleman.