India Secures Gold in ISSF World Cup Mixed Team Pistol Event
India celebrated its first gold medal at the ISSF World Cup as Rhythm Sangwan and Ujjwal clinched victory in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. The Indian duo outperformed their Armenian counterparts, Elmira Karapetyan and Benik Khlghatyan, with a resounding 17-7 win.
Earlier in the competition, Arjun Babuta and Sonam Uttam Maskar had also achieved success, earning silver in the 10m air rifle mixed team event. The Indian shooting contingent has now amassed one gold and two silver medals during the competition in Cairo.
Rhythm, who adds this gold to her collection of consecutive World Cup mixed team titles, alongside Ujjwal, secured second place in the qualifying round with a cumulative score of 580. The Armenian pair narrowly edged them out by a single point.
Nonetheless, in the final, the Indian shooters showcased their superior skills, quickly surging to a 7-1 lead as Benik struggled under pressure. Although the Armenians managed to close the gap at 11-7, Rhythm demonstrated her prowess in the later stages, ultimately securing a commanding victory.
Meanwhile, in the air rifle mixed team event, Arjun and Sonam topped the qualification round, narrowly surpassing British competitors Dean Bale and Seonaid Mcintosh by a single point. However, the Indian duo faced a challenging start in the final, falling behind 3-9.
Undeterred, Arjun and Sonam regained their focus, delivering impressive performances while their British opponents showed signs of nerves. The score equalized at 14-14, but Mcintosh’s exceptional final shot, with a 10.9 score, secured the gold for the British pair.
Indian shooters were unable to secure a spot in the trap finals at the shotgun ranges. Zoravar Sandhu finished 12th in the men’s trap event with a score of 118, while Bhowneesh Mendiratta (114) and Prithviraj Tondaiman (112) ended further down the rankings.
In the women’s trap event, Rajeshwari Kumari attained 13th place with a score of 110, followed by Manisha Keer (109) in 15th place and Bhavya Tripathi (106) in 18th place.
Overall, the Indian shooting team’s performance in the ISSF World Cup has been commendable, with several podium finishes and a historic gold medal. The athletes have showcased their talent and determination, representing the nation with pride and determination.
India’s success in the mixed team events bodes well for the upcoming individual competitions, as the shooters aim to add to their medal tally and leave a lasting mark on the international stage.
With such promising performances, the Indian shooting contingent continues to raise hopes and excite fans, exhibiting the country’s potential as a force to be reckoned with in the global shooting arena.
