Rio 2016: Twitter hails 'golden boy' Abhinav Bindra after he misses medal by a whisker

Star Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra's quest for a second Olympics medal ended in heartbreak as he missed a medal by a whisker in a tense shoot-off in the men's 10m air rifle event on the third day of competitions at the Rio Games.Bindra, the country's lone individual Olympic gold medallist, lost the shoot-off against Ukrainian Serhiy Kulish after both were tied for third place at 163.8 points after 16 shots.

Bindra, who was playing in his fifth and final Olympics, was deprived of a fairytale ending of his glorious career as he was the fifth shooter to be eliminated in the race for the podium. He could at least have bagged a bronze had he won the shoot-off.

Here's how Twitter reacted: 
 

Please bring Sachin back.

— LalCanRajniCan't (@sidin) August 8, 2016

From 7th rank to tie on 3rd & lost - Heartbreaking! Yet well played Abhinav Bindra. #FarewellTime

— Ravinder Singh (@_RavinderSingh_) August 8, 2016

Abhinav,you are and will always be an inspiration for young India. My hats off to you for your valiant effort @Abhinav_Bindra @narendramodi

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 8, 2016

Medal-wedal toh mithya hai. Real joy is so many people watching sports (other than cricket) together & seeing how serious/grand it all is.

— वरुण (@varungrover) August 8, 2016

Bindra's Bronze (at minimum) & Germany's goal with 3 seconds left. Now I know what it's like to have a thief rob you twice in the same hour

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 8, 2016

So in last 15 mins: Bindra missed out on medal; Manavjit misses out qualifying 4 Final & in Hockey we lost to Germany vial goal in last 3s

— India@Sports (@India_At_Rio) August 8, 2016

Still on the top of the game. Still a lot of firepower left. Hope @Abhinav_Bindra won't hang up boots & will continue making #Ind proud.

— Ketan C Bhate (@BhateKetan) August 8, 2016

The greatest gift @Abhinav_Bindra gave us Indians is belief. And that will always remain. Thanks champion for everything. #Olympics2016

— RK (@RK_sports) August 8, 2016

Thank you @Abhinav_Bindra for introducing a nation to a sport that wasn't cricket. Thank you for the memories. Legend. #rio2016

— Sneha Mahale (@randomcards) August 8, 2016

India generally has more bad days than good ones at Olympics. These last 5 minutes will probably go down as worse #Bindra #hockey

— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) August 8, 2016

Chin up @Abhinav_Bindra We know you gave it all .. You'll continue to be our epitome of a modern day sportsperson #olympics #AbhinavBindra

— jatin sapru (@jatinsapru) August 8, 2016

Agonizingly close. What a legend u are @Abhinav_Bindra . Couldn't tweet in between as heart beat was way too fast. Love, respect & gratitude

— Rahul Mehra (@TheRahulMehra) August 8, 2016

I've never felt so much heartbroken. Watched Abhinav Bindra lost in the bronze shootout & Hockey team in the last 4 seconds :( :(#Rio2016

— Gaurav Gulati (@gulati_13) August 8, 2016