India’s Jitu Rai claimed the gold medal in the men’s 50 meter pistol event as he produced a world record score at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in New Delhi.
Rai topped the podium with 230.1 points, comfortably finishing ahead of compatriot Amanpreet Singh at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range.
Singh ensured the Indian team sealed gold and silver as he was second on 226.9 points.
The bronze medal was won by Iran’s Vahid Golkhandan as he rounded out the podium with 208.0 points.
It proved to be a challenging competition for Rai, bronze medalist in yesterday’s air pistol event, as he had to fight not to be eliminated in sixth and fifth place before he eventually found his form.
“It’s amazing to win this gold medal here in New Delhi, during the first combined World Cup held here in India, in front of my supporters,” Rai said.
“It’s a great honor and a true emotion to see the Indian flag atop of the podium.
“I didn’t have a perfect start today, but I guess that’s the fun of the sport.
“I like it that way, uncertainty is part of the game, otherwise there is no excitement.
“I climbed into the lead shot after shot and I think it was a nice match.
“I closed the 2016 season with a World Cup Final silver, and I always dreamed about starting 2017 in the best way here in India.
“I wanted our flag to fly high.”
Yangpaiboon Naphaswan of Thailand won the women’s 25m pistol competition with a score of 38 hits, proving too strong for the rest of the field with a solid performance.
The two-time World Cup medalist was streets ahead of her challengers and managed six more hits than 2014 world champion Zhang Jingjing of China, who was second.
Michelle Skeries of Germany, the European champion, marked her World Cup debut with a medal as she clinched bronze on 27 hits.
Three-time Olympic champion Kimberly Rhode of the United States took the women’s skeet crown, edging out Thailand’s Sutiya Jiewchaloemmit.
The 37-year-old American showed age is just a number as the veteran scored 56, five more than the Thai shooter.
Chloe Tipple of New Zealand did enough for the bronze.
The event in New Delhi is due to conclude tomorrow with the men’s skeet final.
By Liam Morgan
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.