NEW DELHI: The Indian team’s strong start at the Junior World Cup, currently on in Gabala, Spain, has given hope.
The 13 medals so far, including individual gold for Subhankar Pramanick (50m rifle prone men junior) and Sambhaji Zanzan Patil (25m standard pistol) have instilled optimism. After established stars failed at the Rio Olympics, the results in Spain have shown that the new crop has the ability to replace seasoned names.
After the opening day — India was atop with seven medals — Day Two was equally impressive with Indian juniors winning six medals and the team placed second behind Russia, who have bagged 14. RIO DISAPPOINTMENT At Rio, the 12-member team failed to win a solitary medal, which was the worst result for Indian shooters, who have returned with at least one medal since Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
On Monday, India bagged the team gold in the junior women’s 10m air pistol event. Yashaswini Singh Deswal, Malaika Goel and Harshada Nithave had a combined total of 1122 points and finished ahead of Turkey (1104) and Uzbekistan (1086). Anmol bagged the individual silver in junior men’s 10m air pistol category. India bagged the team silver in the same category.
In the junior women’s 50m rifle 3 position, Gaayathri Nithyanadam won bronze and teamed up with Sonika and Aditi Singh for the team bronze. The trio of Anant Jeet Singh Naruka, Sukhbir Singh Harika and Hamza Sheikh capped a superb day with the team bronze in junior men’s skeet.
{{/usCountry}}In the junior women’s 50m rifle 3 position, Gaayathri Nithyanadam won bronze and teamed up with Sonika and Aditi Singh for the team bronze. The trio of Anant Jeet Singh Naruka, Sukhbir Singh Harika and Hamza Sheikh capped a superb day with the team bronze in junior men’s skeet.
{{/usCountry}}FEDERATION PLEASED
The results have pleased the shooting federation, which is in the midst of reviewing the Rio performance. “The results are heartening. We are neck-andneck with Russia on the medals tally after Day Two.
Even though USA, Germany and Great Britain aren’t there, we are way ahead of many teams, including China,” National Rifle Association of India president, Raninder Singh, told HT. “If you look at the Rio squad, not all but most of the athletes were old hands; this is the next generation coming up. This is the generation that will vie for positions at Tokyo (2020 Olympics),” he added.