Shalini claims gold

                                   

Shalini Yashwant beat Commonwealth Games silver medallist Shreyasi Singh by three points to clinch the women’s double trap gold in the 59th National shotgun championship at the JDA range here on Tuesday.

Shalini had won the silver in the last edition in Patiala, pipping Shreyasi in the shoot-off after being tied on 82. Olympian Shagun Chowdhary had clinched the gold. For the 12th standard student from Bhopal, this was an impressive progress.

Shalini garnered 89 points with rounds of 24, 21, 24 and 20, while the reigning National Games champion Shreyasi settled for 86, with rounds of 20, 23, 21 and 22. Shagun slipped in the last round with 19, after having shot 20, 22 and 24, to take the bronze, one point behind Shreyasi.

“I concentrated on my shooting and did not think about beating anyone. Once I have won the gold, I am happy to have beaten such experienced shooters,” said Shalini.

It was a proud moment for coach Mansher Singh as Manisha Keer added the junior gold, to increase the tally for Madhya Pradesh, after Anam Basit had won the trap gold earlier. Manisha had won the junior trap gold as well.

“After the trap, I sent the girls back to Bhopal for training in double trap. They trained well for about a week and came here and delivered,” said Mansher.

The 16-year-old Manisha, daughter of a fisherman Kailash Keer, was equally happy to have improved her score to 80. Aliana Paul, sister of rifle shooter Ayonika Paul, was able to stop the Madhya Pradesh domination by winning the junior silver for Maharashtra, three points ahead of Nivetha Nenthirasigamani from Tamil Nadu, who had won the trap bronze earlier.

In the men’s section, World Cup Final bronze medallist Mohd Asab led with a total of 82 after three rounds, two points ahead of Ahvar Rizvi, Bhowneesh Mendiratta and Ankur Mittal.

The results: Double trap: Women: 1. Shalini Yashwant 89; 2. Shreyasi Singh 86; 3. Shagun Chowdhary 85. Juniors: 1. Manisha Keer 80; 2. Aliana Paul 70; 3. Nivetha Nenthirasigamani 67.