Suruchi Phogat competed hard in the final and won the women’s air pistol gold with a 0.2 point margin over Camille Jedrzejewski of France in the shooting World Cup in Munich on Friday.
It was a rare hat-trick of gold medals in women’s air pistol this season, as the 19-year-old Suruchi had won the World Cups in Buenos Aires and Lima as well.
It was also the fifth medal in as many attempts this season for Suruchi, as she had won a gold and a bronze in the mixed air pistol events in the last two World Cups.
After qualifying with the second-highest score of 588, Suruchi tackled a string of 9s in the final and the fluctuating fortunes with great composure to deliver the gold. The French had shot 10 points less than Suruchi in qualification and was 0.5 points ahead of Suruchi before the last two shots in the final. Suruchi shot 10.5 and 9.5 in the climax, and that was just about enough to ensure the gold.
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Qualification topper Yao Qianxun (589) of China won the bronze.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker shot 574 and placed 25th.
The gold medal, along with the two earlier bronze, pulled India up on the medals table to the fourth spot, behind China, Norway and Independent athletes. China led with three gold and two bronze. Norway had two gold and a silver.
In the 25-metre rapid fire pistol, Anish Bhanwala shot 581 and placed 18th. Vijayveer Sidhu (572) and Ankur Goel (571) were 36th and 37th respectively. In the RPO section, Adarsh Singh shot 581, and Gurmeet 570.
The mixed air rifle and air pistol events will feature on Saturday, the last day of competition.
RESULTS
10m air pistol: Women: 1. Suruchi Phogat 241.9 (588); 2. Camille Jedrzejewski (Fra) 241.7 (578); 3. Yao Qianxun (Chn) 221.7 (589); 25. Manu Bhaker 574; 36. Palak Gulia 570; RPO: Sainyam 580; Simranpreet Kaur Brar 568.
