Rajyavardhan Rathore, a major with the Indian Army, created history at the Athens Olympics by winning the individual silver medal in the men’s double-trap shooting event - India’s first individual silver in the Games’ history.

Not only did he break a jinx for the Indian Olympic squad, desperate for a medal at the world’s toughest sporting arena, he also proved to himself that he has what it takes to beat the best. And the relief and ecstasy showed as he draped the tricolour around him at the presentation ceremony.

"By the grace of God he performed to his best and won the silver medal,” says Major Rathore’s wife, but there is clearly more to the making of a champ than divine favour.

What makes a champion, a world-class one at that? Join Major Rathore’s wife, Dr Gayathri, and his mother, Manju Rathore, on The Rediff Chat on August 20, 1300 hours IST, to find out more about India’s latest hero.