CWG shooting: Indians continue to dominate, win two more gold (Roundup)

NEW DELHI - Gagan Narang and Imran Hasan Khan won the eighth shooting gold for India, in the 50 metres rifle three position pairs event, while Armyman Vijay Kumar added another winning the mens 25 metre rapid fire pistol event at the Commonwealth Games here Friday.

Another Armyman Gurpreet Singh won the bronze in the 25 metre rapid fire pistol at the Karni Singh Shooting Range. Vijay and Gurpreet had won the gold medal in the pairs event here Thursday.

Gagan, world No.3, shot a total of 1,167 (prone 397, standing 385, kneeling 385) while Imran had a total of 1,158 (prone 395, standing 381, kneeling 382) as India won the gold with a total of 2,325. The earlier Games record of 2,300 was held by Canadian duo Michael Dion and Wayne Sorensen at the Victoria Games in 1994.

England and Scotland were tied for the second place with 2,308 points but the former won the silver on the basis of 105 perfect 10s while Scotland had to settle for the bronze with 104 perfect 10s.

England duo James Huckle and Kenny Parr shot a total of 2,308. Huckle shot 1,158 (prone 391, standing 383, kneeling 384) while Parr had a total of 1,150 (prone 391, standing 375, kneeling 384). Scotlands Jonathan Hammond totalled 1,160 (prone 398, standing 371, kneeling 391) while Neil Stirton shot 1148 (prone 395, standing 372, kneeling 381).

In the mens 25 metre rapid fire pistol, Vijay broke his own Games record set in Melbourne to win the ninth gold medal, the country’s ninth. Vijay shot a total of 787.5 (583 in qualifying, 204.5 in final) and bettered the Games record of 778.2 that he set four years ago in Melbourne.

The silver went to Malaysias Hasli Izwan Hasan Amir with a score of 760.3 (576 in qualifying, 184.3 in final) and Gurpreet settled for the bronze with a score of 758.7 (569 qualifying, 189.7 final).

Vijay said he was happy to win the gold by breaking his own Games record.

It always feels special, because this is the second time I have broken the Games record and that too by winning the gold medal. I am grateful to the Army, who have provided me all the help, he said.

Asked which medal was special, individual or pairs, Vijay said: The individual, obviously.

Despite winning the bronze, Gurpreet was unhappy with his performance.

I am extremely unhappy with my scores. I expected to put up a better showing. Now I am looking forward to my next events, he said.

In the womens trap pairs, Indias Shreyasi Singh (45) and Seema Tomar (44) finished fifth with a total of 89 while Australian duo Laetisha Scanlan (48) and Stacy Roiall (45) bagged the gold with a Games record of 93. The previous Games record of 90 was also held by Australian pair Nessa Jenkins and Diane Reeves.

Englands pair Abbey Burton (46) and Anita North (45) took the silver with a total of 91 while Canada got the bronze with Sue Nattrass (46) and Cynthia Meyer (44) shooting a total of 90.