JOIN USRajput settles for fifth place
Indian shooters continued to be off the mark even as China shot their fifth gold in the World Cup at the Dr Karni Singh Range on Sunday.
Experienced Sanjeev Rajput put up an impressive fightback to make the final of the men’s 50M rifle 3-position, but had to settle for the fifth place in the final with 420.6 points.
Rajput had shot 1159 in the qualification stage to be eighth. Compatriots Chain Singh shot 1157 for a ninth-place finish while Satyendra Singh shot 1154 to be at the 13th position.
In the final, Rajput began brightly and was placed third following the kneeling and prone segments. However, the 36-year-old, who has participated in 38 World Cups since he started competing in 2001, struggled in the standing position. He bowed out with a 9.6, losing out by 0.1 point to Thai Napis Tortungpanich who finished fourth.
“I faced adjustment problems while standing. The wind also made things tough for me. It is disappointing to go out without a medal in the World Cup at home. I need to make a few adjustments, like the change of barrel,” said Rajput.
China’s Hui Zicheng took the gold with 454.2 points, while compatriot Sun Jian won silver with 451.6.
In the morning, India were left disappointed in the women’s 10M air pistol where their top shooter Heena Sidhu failed to make it to the finals. The former World No 1 shot 378 in the qualifying round to be placed 11th while Priyanka Susvirkar fired 364 to end 36th place. However, Harveen Srao made it to the final finishing eighth with a 379.
Harveen, competing in her first World Cup since 2011, eventually ended seventh with a 133.6 in the final. China's Lin Yuemei clinched the gold, scoring 240.8 and setting a new world record. Her compatriot Zhang Mengxue finished second with 237.8 while Singapore’s Teo Shun Xie (217.4) won the bronze.
Results: Men: 50M air rifle 3-position: Hui Zicheng (Chn, 454.2), 1; Sun Jian (Chn, 451.6), 2; Jan Lochbihler (Sui, 429.5), 3.
Women: 10M air pistol: Lin Yuemei (Chn, 240.8, WR), 1; Zhang Mengxue (Chn, 237.8), 2; Teo Shun Xie (Sing, 217.4), 3.