Young Indian shooters aim for improvement and medals in Munich World Cup
After having won 15 medals in the first two World Cups of the season, including six golds, Indian shooters will aim for all-round growth and more glory in the World Cup starting in Munich, Germany, on Tuesday.
China had topped the medals table both times with 11 and 13 medals respectively, that included nine gold in all. India was second in Buenos Aires and third in Lima. It was the shotgun gold medals that had helped USA stay ahead of India, after the two teams won seven medals each in Peru.
With the Munich World Cup restricted to pistol and rifle events, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) had opted to give a chance to the second string, while retaining some of the best shooters with an eye on the medals table.
Competition will start with women's air rifle and men's air pistol. The former World No.1 Elavenil Valarivan will spearhead the Indian challenge along with Ananya Naidu and Arya Borse. Two of the seasoned shooters Ramita Jindal and Meghana Sajjanar will be shooting in the Ranking Points Only (RPO) section.
In men's air pistol, the Olympic medallist Sarabjot Singh will compete in the RPO section along with Arjun Singh Cheema. It means that they shoot only the qualification and will not be eligible to compete in the final.
Varun Tomar will have the company of newcomers Aditya Malra and NIshant Rawat in the main event.
With the best of the shooters compete in the Munich World Cup, there will be no dearth of competition.
It remains to be seen how the young Indian shooters perform on the big stage given the standard of competition on view.
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