Shooting Pains

Tokyo, July 25

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The fancied Indian shooting team drew a blank for the second day running at the Tokyo Olympics here, with a major weapon malfunction leading to a heartbreaking exit for the young Manu Bhaker in the women’s 10m air pistol event.

Appearing in her maiden Olympics, the 19-year-old finished a creditable 12th, despite losing nearly 20 minutes during the qualifications after her pistol’s cocking lever broke down. She shot 575, missing the final by two points.

Yashaswini Singh Deswal, the other first-timer at the Games, recovered from a subdued start to end 13th, with a total score of 574.

In the men’s 10m air rifle event, the experienced Deepak Kumar and the teenaged Divyansh Singh Panwar finished a lowly 26th and 32nd, respectively. Deepak aggregated 624.7 while Divyansh shot 622.8 over the six series, scores which were not enough to make the final.

Bajwa seeks final spot

India’s Angad Vir Singh Bajwa missed two targets out of 75 to be placed 11th on countback at the end of the third round in men’s skeet qualifications. He is in search of a top-six finals spot. Angad had scores of 25, 24, 24 in the first three series and will be back on Monday to shoot the final two series. His compatriot Mairaj Ahmad Khan shot 71 and was placed 25th out of the 30 shooters in fray.

Concerns

Taken together, the first two days’ performance is certainly going to raise a few eyebrows within the Indian shooting fraternity, including the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), which has done its bit in preparing the shooters. According to an insider in the NRAI, the federation is certainly feeling let down with the scores of the four rifle shooters — Deepak, Divyansh, Apurvi Chandela and Elavenil Valarivan.

ROC, USA win gold

Meanwhile, ROC’s (Russian Olympic Committee) Vitalina Batsarashkina won the 10m air pistol gold with an Olympics record 240.3 in the final, Bulgaria’s Antoaneta Kostadinova bagged silver with 239.4 while Ranxin Jiang of China ended with the bronze after shooting 218.0.

USA’s William Shaner won the 10m rifle gold with a Games record 251.6, followed by Lihao Sheng (250.9) and Haoran Yang (229.4). — PTI

Quick notes

Good news for medal-winning athletes

The medal-winning athletes at the will now be able to sport a wide smile for the shutterbugs after the IOC updated its protocols, allowing them to remove their masks for 30 seconds during the podium ceremony.

Chinese duo easily win 1st diving gold

China got off to a winning start in diving, claiming gold in women’s 3-meter synchronized springboard to start what the Chinese hope is a sweep of the eight events. Shi Tingmao and Wang Han totaled 326.40 points, easily winning by 25.62 points. Jennifer Abel and Melissa Citrini-Beaulieu of Canada took silver with 300.78. Lena Hentschel and Tina Punzel of Germany earned bronze with 284.97.

Rahm, DeChambeau test positve

World No. 1 Jon Rahm and world No. 6 Bryson DeChambeau both tested positive for Covid before their departure for the Games, dealing a blow to the golf competition days before its start. Their pullout is bound to deplete the field. This is the second time in his last five events that Rahm has had to withdraw due to the virus.

Osaka dominantes, Barty makes early exit

Japan’s Naomi Osaka powered through her opening match at as world No.1 Ash Barty stumbled out of the tournament with a lacklustre performance. Osaka, dismantled China’s Zheng Saisai 6-1 6-4 on Centre Court. Barty was dumped out of the women’s singles after a stunning 6-4 6-3 loss to 48th-ranked Sara Sorribes Tormo. Meanwhile, Kei Nishikori upset fifth seed Andrey Rublev 6-3 6-4 on home soil, while Andy Murray withdrew with an injury before he started. Agencies