Mansher breaks a mental barrier

NEW DELHI, AUG 16: Mansher Singh, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who has so often lost in the tie-shoots overcame a major mental ba...

NEW DELHI, AUG 16: Mansher Singh, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who has so often lost in the tie-shoots overcame a major mental barrier as he beat some of the world’s best in the Bednarik Memorial International Trap Shooting competition in Foligno, Italy. He beat the current world record holder Marco Titterli of Italy in a thrilling sudden death shoot-out.

“It was a big barrier and I am glad I managed to cross that,” Mansher told his relatives while conveying the news soon after winning the title. In the recent past, a concerned Mansher has even sought the help of mind trainers following a string of losses in tie-breakers. Mansher has been spending a lot of time training in Italy with Marcello Dradi, the world famous coach, preparing himself for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

After a 72 out of 75 in the furst three cards, he had 118 in the next 125 to go into the final tied with two others at 190. His cards in sequence were 23, 24, 25, 22, 22, 25, 24, 25.

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In the shoot-out he once again had a perfectscore but that still kept him tied with world record holder Tittereli for a total of 215 out of 225. Then came the nerve-wracking sudden shoot-out.

Mansher held his nerve and found the bird in each of his first three shots as the Italian missed the third one. That gave Mansher the title and a psychological boost that he badly needed.

Mansher’s teammates Anwar Sultan and Zoravar Singh were also taking part in the competition. They finished with scores of 175 and 172 out of 200 and failed to make it to the final in the UIT recognised event.

Mansher will stay in Italy for another week to take part in a training schedule with his Italian coach Marcello Dradi.