CWG: Narang shoots past Bindra to take the gold (Afternoon Lead)

NEW DELHI - Indian shooters struck gold early third day of the Commonwealth Games Wednesday as World No.3 Gagan Narang pipped compatriot and Beijing Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra in the 10-metre air rifle competition.

With the shooting gold and silver, India’s medal tally swelled to six gold, five silver and two bronze.

Narang, who equalled his own world record in the qualification round with a perfect score of 600, went on to score 103.6 in the final round, leaving Bindra (698 points, 595+103) behind. The bronze medal went to James Huckle (693.5, 591+102.5) of England.

When he struck perfect 600, he pumped the air with clenched fist in jubilation. There was a palpable feeling of elation in Narang who, his admirers felt, did not get his due in the shadow of Bindra.

“It was a great feeling to perform so well at home. I would strive to keep performing the way I have done here,” said Narang.

In fact, Narang bettered his own World record of 703.5 he set at Bangkok World Cup final in 2008 and his own Commonwealth Games record in Melbourne four years ago.

The Hyderabadi marksman’s record, however, will not be ratified by the International Shooting Federation (ISSF) as it only recognises records set at the Olympics, World Cups, World Cup finals and World Championships.

ISSF delegate David Parish told IANS that he is waiting for a clarification whether this performance of Narang could be considered as world record.

Narang has broken his world record, but it wont be counted because the Commonwealth Games is not recognised by the ISSF. I still have to get a clarification from the ISSF, he said.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Graeme Hudson also concurred.

“We are still looking for a confirmation from the ISSF to get it ratified as a world record,” he said.

Bindra and Narang had also hit the bull’s eye in the 10-metre air rifle pairs event Tuesday.

In badminton, India blanked Wales 5-0 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the mixed team event.

In Greco-Roman wrestling, Manoj Kumar overcome South African Van Zyl in 84 kg to enter the final while Dharmendar Dalal was beaten by Australia’s Ivan Popov in the semi-finals of the 120 kg. India had won all three golds on offer on the first day of wrestling Tuesday.

At the tennis complex, Sania Mirza and Somdev Devvaraman moved into the quarter-finals of the singles.

Sania defeated Brittany Teei of Cook Islands 6-0, 6-2 while Somdev got the better of Sri Lankan Amresh Jayawickreme 6-0, 6-1.

In men’s hockey, world champions Australia blanked Scotland, running up a 9-0 victory to open their campaign.

Four of their goals came from penalty-corner conversions through Luke Doerner (3) and Chris Ciriello, who also struck one from open play. Rob Hammond, Trent Mitton, Simon Orchard and Des Abboott also got into the act.

In the women’s hockey competition, England survived an initial scare to beat Canada 4-1 for their second win in Pool B.

Canada struck early from a penalty stroke by Diana Roemer. But England fought back to score through Kate Walsh, Alex Danson (2) and Crista Cullen to hand Canada their second defeat.