Shooters swell Indian gold kitty (Roundup)

NEW DELHI - Led by World No.3 Gagan Narang and Beijing Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, Indian shooters set the range on fire winning three gold and three silver medals on the third day of competitions at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Wednesday.

Narang struck gold early, pipping Bindra in the 10m air rifle competition.

The second gold of the day for India was won by Anisa Sayyed in the 25m women’s pistol event.

Omkar Singh wrapped it up with a gold in the 50m pistol event.

Shooters continued the winning spree with junior world champion Asher Noria and world No.3 Ronjan Sodhi teaming up to net the silver in the men’s pairs double trap.

Rahi Sarnobat also bagged a silver in the 25m women’s pistol event.

Narang, who equalled his own world record in the qualification round with a perfect shot 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.

The Hyderabadi marksman 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.

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 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 Narang’s performance could be considered as world record. “Narang has broken his world record, but it won’t be counted because the Commonwealth Games is not recognised by the ISSF. I still have to get a clarification from the ISSF,” he said.

Noria (46,47) and Sodhi (50,45) missed the gold by one point in the men’s pairs double trap shooting and settled for silver. They scored 188 points.

Stevan Walton and Steven Scott of England bagged the gold (189 points), setting a new Games record as they went past the record of 186 set by Australian Mark Russell and Craig Trembath in the 2006 Melbourne Games.

Malaysian pair of Benjamin Cheng Jie Khor (93) and Seng Chye Khor (92) got the bronze.

India’s Italian coach Marcello Dradi was unhappy with the performance of the shooters.

“I am not happy with the silver. I am a professional coach and have come here to give India a gold medal. This was the best team we could have and unfortunately we missed the gold by one point,”

In 25m women’s pistol event, Anisa won the top honours witha total score of 786.8 points, (583+203.8), and broke the Games record (781.5) set by Australian Lalita Yauhleuskaya in the 2002 Manchester Games.

Rahi shot a total of 781 points, (576+205). The bronze medal went to Malaysian Pei Chin Bibiana with a total of 778.2 (580+198.2).

Lalita finished fourth with a total of 772, 571 in qualifying and 201 in final.

The Indian shooters have so far won five gold and five silver medals.