Rana fires on all cylinders

Wins two more gold medals, scores 590 points in centre-fire event to equal world record

There was a bit of soul-searching around Indian shooting circles these days, maybe. How can so much talent not produce that many golds? Doubts were finally removed today when pistol ace Jaspal Rana won two more golds making it three for himself and the country, locking the men8217;s 25m centre-fire pistol competition out of general reach.

In the process, not only did the Indian team in that category others being Samresh Jung and Vijay Kumar win gold, Rana8217;s 590 also equalled the world record which is also the Asian record of Afanasijs Kuzmins. It was originally set in 1989 and has been equalled on a number of occasions thereafter, it has yet to be broken.

Rana totalled 294 989898 in precision and 296 1009898 in rapid, beating silver winner Gouhui Liu of China in each of the precision rounds. Liu totalled 587, one ahead of bronze-winning Thai Jakkrit Panichpatikum.

It was also, finally, redemption time for Jung 578 and Vijay Kumar 580 with the gold.

Indian shooters have completed their Asian Games campaign with 3 golds, 5 silvers and 6 bronze medals.

8220;I was pretty much sure of getting to the target,8221; said Rana later. 8220;Yesterday8217;s viral attack hasn8217;t really gone away and I am still feeling weak from it, still on medication. But if I could make this from a 10-day camp I am sure I will do better from a longer training stint.8221;

On equalling the world record, he said it 8220;wasn8217;t new to me, I have done it before, in 1991 and in 1994, but this one feels good, especially proving things to the Sports Authority of India and the government.8221;

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National coach Sunny Thomas said he was happy that his advice to Rana to stay away from the Olympic events has been heeded and has paid dividends. 8220;This was my request to him, and I had asked for a record and he told me he would try,8221; said Thomas. 8220;It proves that Indian shooting has finally reached a level.8221;