Thaindian News

By Abhishek Roy
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Continuing their blazing form, Indian shooters struck two more golds with Gagan Narang and Imran Hasan Khan winning the men’s 50-metre rifle three-position event and Army man Vijay Kumar claiming top honours in the men’s 25-metre rapid fire pistol at the Commonwealth Games here Friday.

Another Army man 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 Thursday.

Indian shooters, who set up Games records in both the events, have so far collected nine gold medals in the competition.

Gagan, a world No.3, shot a total of 1167 (prone 397, standing 385, kneeling 385) while Imran had a total of 1158 (prone 395, standing 381, kneeling 382) enabling India to win the gold with a cumulative score of 2325.

The earlier Games record of 2300 was held by Canadian pair Michael Dion and Wayne Sorensen at the Victoria Games in 1994.

England and Scotland were tied for the second place with 2308 points. But England won the silver on the basis of 105 perfect 10s while Scotland had to settle for the bronze with 104 perfect 10s.

England pair James Huckle and Kenny Parr shot a total of 2308. Huckle shot 1158 (prone 391, standing 383, kneeling 384) while Parr had a total of 1150 (prone 391, standing 375, kneeling 384).

Scotland’s Jonathan Hammond totalled 1160 (prone 398, standing 371, kneeling 391) while Neil Stirton shot 1148 (prone 395, standing 372, kneeling 381).

In men’s 25-metre rapid fire pistol, Vijay broke the Games record, also set by him in Melbourne, to win the ninth gold medal for the nation. Vijay shot a total of 787.5 (583 in qualifying, 204.5 in final) to better his old record of 778.2.

The silver went to Malaysia’s Hasli Izwan Hasan Amir who scored 760.3 (576 in qualifying, 184.3 in final), while Gurpreet settled for the bronze totalling 758.7 (569 qualifying, 189.7 final).

Vijay said the success made him feel special.

“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, which has been providing me with all the help,” he said.

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

Winning the bronze, Gurpreet was unhappy with his performance.

“I am extremely unhappy with my scores. I expected a better show from myself. Now I am looking forward to perform better in my next events,” he said.

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

England’s pair Abbey Burton (46) and Anita North (45) took the silver scoring 91 while Canada got the bronze with Sue Nattrass (46) and Cynthia Meyer (44) firing a cumulative total of 90.