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Coach confident in spite of modest performances

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Indian shooters may not have set the stage on fire in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics — they had modest performances in the World Cups in Munich and Milan — but national coach Prof. Sunny Thomas assured that the scores were improving and the team would do its best in the Olympics in August.

“The scores are looking up. With some more training and minor competitions, our shooters will be ready for Beijing,” said Prof. Thomas, who returned with some of the shooters in the early hours of Sunday from Italy.

Rifle shooter Gagan Narang was the focus of attention as he had been the best among the Indian pistol and rifle shooters. Coach Thomas was particularly pleased with Narang’s consistency in the 3-position event. He was equally appreciative of the efforts of Sanjeev Rajput.

Shooter comfortable

“1160 used to be difficult for us before, but our shooters are comfortably touching that level. 1167 or so will put you in the final,” he added.

In air rifle, Gagan shot 596 and 595, that saw him make one of the finals. World Champion Abhinav Bindra had shot 594 in the two World Cups.

“Abhinav has been shooting fantastic in the training sessions. He is trying a few things during competitions. 594 means 99 per cent accuracy, but it is not good enough at that level. He works very hard on his shooting, and he will be ready in time for the Olympics,” said Prof. Thomas.

The national coach was stumped for an answer about the form of the women shooters, Anjali Bhagwat and Avneet Kaur.

“Anjali may have got her Olympic quota in the 3-position event but I consider her a better air rifle shooter. She is shooting better than others and had reached up to 395 in air rifle.

“She has not been in that form when she used to score 396 plus regularly in international competitions. The Olympic qualified shooters are training in Hannover, Germany, and I am sure she will get ready,” he said.

Avneet under pressure

The coach felt that Avneet was under some pressure, owing to the rumours about retaining her place in the squad for the Olympics, and has been just missing the 10s.

“She is concentrating only on air rifle and has to shoot the 3P just to break the monopoly. She has to keep a free mind and will do with some confidence. She has also got her old rifle serviced and needs to possibly select better quality of pellets,” said Prof. Thomas.

Samaresh Jung, who missed out on the final on the count-back after a 581 in air pistol in the Milan World Cup, also came in for praise from the coach.

While the Olympic qualified shotgun marksmen, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Mansher Singh are gearing up for two World Cups, the pistol and rifle shooters will continue to train in Germany with coaches Laszlo Szucsak and Gyorik Csaba, after returning home for a brief stay.

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