That's sheer grit

chanakyakripa

Karoly Takacs of the Hungarian Army, was a top pistol shooter in the world for men’s 25 meter rapid fire pistol. He had won many national and international championships in shooting. He was preparing for Olympics 1940 and was expected to win Gold for his nation.

But one day in 1938 during his army session, a hand grenade exploded in his right hand, his shooting hand.  With loss of his hand he also lost his dream of winning Gold in Olympics.

He spent a month in hospital recovering. He decided that he is not going to feel pity and he held onto his Olympics dreams. He figured out that he had a fully functional and healthy left arm. He chose to explore the world of possibilities.

Karoly had a will to succeed. He decided to practice shooting with his left hand. Despite the fact that he was not left-handed, he was determined to make his left hand the best shooting hand in the world.

For months he practiced by himself and decided not to tell anyone.

In 1939, he showed up at National Pistol Shooting Championship. There other shooters approached him to give condolences and congratulated him to have a strength to come and watch other shooters in that event.

Karoly replied, “I didn’t come here to watch.  I came here to compete”. Everyone was surprised to know that and what surprised them even more was the fact that he won that championship with his left hand.

The 1940 and 1944 Olympics were cancelled because of World War II.

Karoly kept practicing and was qualified for 1948 Olympics and won Gold for his country. He won 1952 Olympics too.

badalbobby

It is really amazing what persistence and determination can make one do.

asr335704

Very inspiring. Hats off to the shooter.

abhidebb

Real Heroes who set examples through sheer determination and motivation.

Grateful to you for sharing such a morale-boosting incident.