Tough to stop ‘top shooting nation in world’ India, says wary OZ shotgun champ
By ANITuesday, October 5, 2010
NEW DELHI - Australian shotgun veteran Russell Mark has said that India would be a real force to be reckoned with during the ongoing Delhi Commonwealth Games.
India has topped the medal count in shooting events at the last two Commonwealth Games, and is expected to dominate the games in the Indian capital, where 32 gold medals will be handed out.
“The Indian team is world class. They would hold their own at any Olympic Games let alone Commonwealth Games,” The Age quoted Mark, as saying.
“They’re probably the number one shooting nation in the world,” he added.
The Olympic champion further said that Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges, the venue for the pistol, shotgun and majority of the rifle events, is one of the best shooting ranges in the world.
“We’ll have no excuses here not to shoot world class scores, and I expect the winners will have to shoot nearly a world record to win it,” he added.
Mark will take to the range on Wednesday, while single trap shooter Michael Diamond makes his first appearance on Friday.
Australia’s best chance for gold on the first day of shooting lies with the men’s 50m pistol pairing of Bruce Quick and David Moore.
Quick, with 13 medals in five Commonwealth Games, is aiming to edge closer to Australia’s most prolific Commonwealth Games medallist Phillip Adams, who won 18 medals in his shooting career.
The women’s 25m pistol pairs will also be a strong chance of victory, with six-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lalita Yauhleuskaya shooting with 44-year-old Linda Ryan. (ANI)
