Record 10 shooters qualify for 2020 Tokyo Paralympics

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 8

A record number of 10 para shooters have qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

“Rubina Francis has qualified for the Tokyo Paralympics with a world record, while Avani Lekhara has qualified for all four wheelchair shooting events. It is a great achievement and a result of hard work of the coaches and the shooters,” said Deepa Malik, president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). PCI vice-president Kavinder Chaudhary hoped for a rich haul of medals from the shooters. “From just one shooter in the past Games to 10 in Tokyo, we have really taken a big stride and we are hoping that this time we will be able to win record medals just in shooting,” he said.

Subhash Rana, national shooting coach, said, “Contribution of JP Nautiyal, our head coach is enormous. It was tough during the period of Covid to keep the spirit of the shooters.”

“Hard work of the last four years brought unprecedented results. We are hopeful of a rich haul of medals,” said Commonwealth Games medallist Deepak Sharma, who was also a part of the selection committee.

The PCI has also sent three names to the International Paralympic Committee for consideration under the Bipartite Entry System for consideration.