Two young Indian shooters opened the Asia Rifle/Pistol Championships in Jakarta with a winning flourish to claim Paris 2024 Olympic quota places for their country in the men’s and women’s 10m air pistol events.
Nineteen-year-old Esha Singh, one of the sport’s rising stars, won the women’s title in a competition at the Senayan Shooting Range that is incorporating Asian Olympic Qualifying.
Earlier in the day the men’s gold was won by Singh’s 20-year-old team-mate Varun Tomar.
That took India’s total of quota places for Paris 2024 to 15 across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines – matching the record set for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Singh, who won two team gold medals at the ISSF World Championships in Baku and added a gold and three silvers at the Hangzhou Asian Games, shot spectacularly well to amass a winning score of 243.1, marking her victory with a roar of triumph and a big smile to her team behind her.
She finished legions clear of the second-place Kishmala Talat of Pakistan, who earned the second quota place on offer as she took silver with 236.3.
Singh’s team-mate Rhythm Sangwan won the bronze medal and, with Surbhi Rao, the women’s team title was also secured.
“I feel really happy – I still can’t believe it,” Singh told ISSF TV. “I feel like everything has paid off for me. I think it was my personal best score in a final.”
Asked about the way in which she had marked the moment of victory, she added: “It came out of me like a reflex! I just felt like doing it, I was so excited.”
Singh had built an impregnable lead with a series of high-scoring shots, including a maximum 10.9, but she said she kept her focus on herself throughout.
“I could see a lot of good shots, but I just kept my head in my game and not in others.
“I am so proud to have delivered this place for India. Our preparations have been so good, and I want to thank all of the coaches and the team.”
Talat was jubilant after becoming the first Pakistan woman to win an Olympic quota place.
“This is a historic achievement, and this medal will have a special place in my heart,” she told ISSF TV.
Tomar scored 239.6 points to finish ahead of his 23-year-old compatriot Arjun Cheema, who scored 237.3.
The bronze medal was won by Mongolia’s Davaakhun Enkhtaivan, who thus claimed the second Paris 2024 quota on offer.
Combined with Ujjawal Malik, Tomar and Cheema also secured the team gold for India.
“I feel good,” said Tomar. “ I came here to try and win a gold medal and a quota place, and now it is done.”
Competition continues tomorrow in Jakarta with the mixed team events in 10m air rifle and 10m air pistol.
Fuente: http://www.issf-sports.org
