Saurabh Chaudhary claims gold in Asian Online Shooting
The online event was the first formal event in a year ravaged by Covid. Tepid show by women shooters.
Asian Games gold medallist Saurabh Chaudhary began his Olympic year with a gold medal-winning performance at the inaugural Asian Online Shooting Championships on Friday.
Competing at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, Saurabh Chaudhary was in top form as he carded 100, 99, 97, 97, 97 and 98 en route his gold in the 10m Air Pistol event.
The 18-year-old Chaudhary, an Olympic quota winner, shot 588 for the gold with Iran’s Javad Foroughi taking the silver with 587. Another Indian, Sarabjot Singh, completed the podium with 582.
Another Olympic quota winner in the event, Abhishek Verma, finished fourth with a score of 581.
In the women’s event, Youth Olympics champion Manu Bhaker had to be content with a bronze with a score of 578. Meanwhile, the Iranian duo of Haniyeh Rostamiyan (580) and Sebghatollahi Golnoush (579) won gold and silver medals, respectively.
Other Indians in the competition, Yashaswini Deswal and Annu Raj Singh finished eighth and 21st, respectively. While Deswal totalled 572, Annu ended with a score of 560.
The Asian Online Shooting Championships was the first formal meet for the Indian shooters in over a year. They will also be competing at the ISSF World Cup in New Delhi from March 18-29 before the Tokyo Games in July-August.