ISSF Shotgun World Cup: Manisha Keer falls short of trap final

Indian shooter Manisha Keer narrowly missed out on a spot in the women’s trap final of the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Manisha Keer finished seventh – recording her best-ever finish at an ISSF Shotgun World Cup.

Manisha Keer – who had to be in the top six to qualify for the final - was in second place going into the fifth and last round after shooting 23 out of 25 in the first four at the Egyptian Shooting Club.

However, she could only manage a fifth-round 21, giving her an aggregate of 113. Despite the setback, the Indian shooter had a chance of making the final via a three-way shoot-off with Spaniard Maria Zubizaretta and Poland’s Sandra Bernal.

Manisha Keer missed her first shot in the shoot-off though, which put paid to any chances of entering the final.

Meanwhile, Kirti Gupta finished 17th in the women’s trap with a score of 102 while Rajeshwari Kumari ended 18th after shooting 99. The collective effort of the three women hold them in good stead in the women’s trap team competition, where India currently sit third.

In contrast, it was a disappointing day for the men. Veteran Prithviraj Tondaiman finished highest among Indians in the men’s trap – ending 26th with a score of 112.

Asian Games silver-medallist Lakshay Sheoran finished 34th with 110 while Olympian Kynan Chenai was placed 36th with a score of 109.

However, there is still an opportunity for the Indian shooters to win a medal - in the trap mixed team competition, where two Indian pairs will be taking part.

Kynan Chenai will team up with Manisha Keer while Lakshay Sheoran and Rajeshwari Kumari will be the other pair.

The trap shooters will be hoping to emulate their skeet counterparts – where the Indian men’s skeet team won bronze at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup last week.

Lead photo: National Rifle Association of India (NRAI)