Gold rush for India in CWG shooting events

Bindra and Narang together scored 1193 to break their own record,which they had set four years ago in Melbourne,by notching up 1189.

World record holder Gagan,coming off a none-too-impressive season,shot a spectacular sequence of 99,100,100,99,100,100 to total a grand 598,while Beijing Olympic gold medalist,Bindra’s series read 100,98 ,99,100,99,99 for a total of 595 in the first shooting event of the Games.

England’s James Huckle and Kenny Parr (1174) won the silver medal while Bangladesh’s Abdullah Hel Baki and Md. Asif Hussain Khan (1173) had to be content with bronze. Both teams,however,were far behind the Indian duo of Bindra and Gagan.

“Many thought I am a dictator,since I had imposed a gag order on the shooters prior to the Games. But whatever I was doing,I was doing for the country. And we have got the reward for that,” said national coach Sunny Thomas.

Thomas,however,cautioned that,instead of basking in glory,it would be wise to focus on the coming events. “This was easy but I am sure the coming events are going to be difficult. I am happy that both Gagan and Abhinav shot well today. It’s certainly a good start for India and we hope to maintain the momentum,” Thomas said.

Sarnobat,Sayyed bag gold in pairs 25m pistol

Sarnobat and Sayyed shot an impressive 1158 to finish ahead of Australia’s Lalita Yauhleuskaya and Linda Ryan (1148) and England’s Gorgs Geikie and Julia Lydall (1122) in the event.

This,incidentally,is also a new Games record,which came moments after Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang’s record-breaking gold-winning feat in 10m air rifle event.

While the 30-year-old Sayyed from Haryana is an experienced hand,having played in a number of tournaments,Sarnobat is just beginning to bloom. Like Tejeswani Sawant,the 20-year-old Sarnobat too hails from Kolhapur,Maharashtra,and is rated highly by those who know her.

The Delhi Games is Sarnobat’s first attempt at multi-discipline sporting event and the gold proved that she is here to stay.

“She is one for the future,” said a team official after Sarnobat’s medal-winning feat.

She has been with India’s core group of shooters for the past two years and,according to her coaches and team officials,has a very bright future.

Sarnobat,Sayyed bag gold in pairs 25m pistol

Sarnobat and Sayyed shot an impressive 1158 to finish ahead of Australia’s Lalita Yauhleuskaya and Linda Ryan (1148) and England’s Gorgs Geikie and Julia Lydall (1122) in the event.

This,incidentally,is also a new Games record,which came moments after Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang’s record-breaking gold-winning feat in 10m air rifle event.

While the 30-year-old Sayyed from Haryana is an experienced hand,having played in a number of tournaments,Sarnobat is just beginning to bloom. Like Tejeswani Sawant,the 20-year-old Sarnobat too hails from Kolhapur,Maharashtra,and is rated highly by those who know her.

The Delhi Games is Sarnobat’s first attempt at multi-discipline sporting event and the gold proved that she is here to stay.

“She is one for the future,” said a team official after Sarnobat’s medal-winning feat.

She has been with India’s core group of shooters for the past two years and,according to her coaches and team officials,has a very bright future