PTI

New Delhi, Dec 13: Jaspal Rana, who came back from oblivion to scoop up three gold medals in pistol events in Doha, was on Tuesday declared the Best Sportsperson of the 15th Asian Games.

The enfant terrible of Indian shooting became the first ever sportsperson from the country to bag the coveted honour and would now fly back to Doha to receive the honour personally.

The award would be bestowed to him during the Games' Closing Ceremony on December 15, Rana told PTI here.

The original pin-up boy of Indian shooting, Rana had won the first shooting gold medal for the country 12 years ago at the Hiroshima Asiad.

This edition saw him pick three gold medals and a silver in pistol events.

"I am very happy and I will be going to Doha to personally accept the award," the 30-year-old gushed after receiving the news from the National Rifle Association of India.

Rana, who had returned here only on Saturday with the rest of the Indian shooting contingent, felt the award may have gone his way from among 10,000 competitors at the Games because he had braved ill health en route to winning the medal in centre fire competition with a world equalling mark (590).

NRAI Secretary Baljeet Singh Sethi said it was a "big achievement" not only for Rana but for the entire country.

"It is a very big news. He has been declared best among 10,000 participants. Even China who are bagging the gold by sacfuls could not get this award," he told PTI.