Jaipur, Oct. 8 -- For Jaipur's Yashvir Singh, the journey to an Asian Games silver medal began not with a professional javelin, but with a bamboo one. Years of hard work, injuries and training under his father's guidance have now taken the javelin thrower to the international podium, but Yashvir says his biggest dream is still ahead - winning an Olympic medal for India. Yashvir, who won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games before securing silver at the Asian Games, said representing the country and winning a medal was a proud moment. He credited his family, particularly his father and coach Rai Singh, for playing a crucial role in his journey. "My father put a javelin in my hand when I was a child. I was not particularly good at studies, and gradually I made javelin throw my goal," Yashvir said in an interaction after his Asian Games medal. Coming from a family with a sporting background, Yashvir developed an interest in sports at an early age. His father, who was also a player, now trains sportspersons with the Railways. Yashvir said his father never allowed him to take the easy route and constantly pushed him to work harder. From technique and fitness to competition preparation, Rai Singh guided him through every stage of his development. Yashvir said his father's support helped build his confidence and played a major role in taking him to the international stage. Yashvir began his javelin training in Rajasthan and regularly practised at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. In his early days, however, access to professional equipment was a major challenge. A professional javelin was expensive, so he spent a considerable period training with makeshift javelins made of bamboo. The equipment was far from ideal and he suffered injuries on several occasions, but he continued training. "There were many difficulties in the beginning and at times I was injured while practising with bamboo javelins. But I never lost hope. I always believed that hard work would eventually pay off," he said. The breakthrough came as his performances improved and medals followed. After his Commonwealth Games bronze, the Asian Games silver represented another significant step forward in his career. Yashvir, however, sees the medal as another milestone rather than the destination. He said every medal brings with it a bigger target and greater responsibility. "Winning one medal does not mean the journey is over. The next target becomes bigger," he said....