India's New Medal Record: 1

On Aug. 11, Abhinav Bindra became the first Indian in history to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, rallying late from fourth place to take the title in the 10-m air rifle. The shooting win came just days before his country's Aug. 15 national holiday and set off a frenzy back home. Bindra's picture was splashed across front pages; his medal ceremony played in a ceaseless TV loop. Even the English-language, state-run China Daily featured Bindra, a gesture of goodwill to the country's rival rising power. Unlike China, though, India has until recently shown a monumental indifference to Olympic sports.

The well-manicured Bindra, 25, is now his country's most eligible bachelor. His mother has fielded several marriage offers. She wants a traditional housewife for her son, thank you. The new bride would join a very wealthy bunch: Bindra's father Apjit owns an agriculture, manufacturing and power conglomerate. After his mother Babli caught him tossing balloons off a maid's head--right on target--she hired a shooting coach, and his father built him an air-conditioned range in the backyard. His reward for winning gold: a $350,000 bonus from steel baron Lakshmi Mittal, who has sponsored some Indian athletes, and more than $550,000 from local government bodies and sports ministries. His gift from Dad: a hotel.