The Hindu : Rathore bags World Cup gold

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 05, 2004

Sport

Sport - Shooting

Rathore bags World Cup gold

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 4. He has been making rapid strides in recent times. Major Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore crossed yet another milestone in his spectacular career, as the doubletrap marksman won the gold in the shooting World Cup in Sydney on Thursday.

Despite a stiff wind from behind making it difficult for the shooters at the Olympic range in Sydney, Major Rathore shot consistently well to take the gold with a 187 out of 200, an astonishing eight-point margin over the silver medallist, the former world champion Daniele DiSpigno of Italy.

"I am very happy. It is a great thing for me. After not being in good form in the Asian Championship in Kuala Lumpur recently, am very pleased to get into such good rhythm. Of course, everything is aimed towards the Olympics, but every achievement has its own place, and am going to cherish this one for some time'', said Rathore, when contacted in Sydney.

It was the first individual gold in a world level-competition by an Indian shotgun marksman. Anjali Vedpathak Bhagwat is the only other Indian shooter who did it in the World Cup in Fort Benning and the World Cup Final in Milan last year, in women's air rifle.

Rathore shot a 47, 47 and 47 in the preliminary phase and a 46 in the final, to leave the rest panting for breath far behind. Daniele DiSpigno shot a 47, 43 and 46 followed by a 43 in the final for a 179. Steve Haberman of Australia who has been drafted into the Australian Olympic team based on current form, shot a 175, including a 39 in the final, to take the bronze.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Indian shooters continued to miss out on the final by agonizing margins.

In women's air pistol, Anisa Sayeed shot an impressive 381 out of 400, and missed making the final by one point. She had a series of 94, 97, 94 and 96 that put her joint 11th. Annu Raj Singh was joint 31st with a 370 while Sushma Rana was 34th with a 366.

Ye Tian of China won the gold with a 484.6, as she followed a 382 with a 102.6 in the final.

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