Divyansh Panwar, Anjum Moudgil make air rifle final at ISSF World Cup

Hitting the range for the first event of the Olympic year, Tokyo quota holders Divyansh Singh Panwar and Anjum Moudgil enjoyed a fruitful outing on the opening day of the ISSF World Cup in New Delhi on Friday.

At the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, the Indian duo looked comfortable as they managed high scores to make it to the finals of the 10m Air Rifle in the men’s and the women’s category, respectively.

Also making the medal round on Saturday was Arjun Babuta, who was in inspiring form in the six-round qualification.

Divyansh Singh Panwar, the world No. 1 in the men’s 10m Air Rifle, scored an aggregate of 629.1 to finish sixth while Arjun Babuta was third with a total score of 631.8.

South Korea's Taeyun Nam topped the qualification with a score of 632.1 while Sergey Richter was second with a score of 631.8 after six rounds of shooting.

Divyansh Singh Panwar has been on song this year. He had dominated the national trials a few months back.

Meanwhile, the other Indian in the mix -- Deepak Kumar -- fell short of making the cut and had to be content with a 12th-place finish with a score of 626.4.

The women’s half saw Anjum Moudgil finish second behind Hungary’s Eszter Denes.

While the 19-year-old Hungarian scored 629.8 in her qualification, Anjum Moudgil -- predominantly a 3P shooter -- was close on her heels with 629.6.

The qualification, however, sprung a few surprises with the world No. 1 Elavenil Valarivan and one of India’s leading air rifle shooters, Apurvi Chandela, failing to make it to the final.

While the 21-year-old Elavenil Valarivan finished 12th with a score of 626-7, Apruvi Chandela -- a 2016 Rio Olympian -- was 26th managing just 622.8 in her six rounds.