New Delhi: Young Indian shooter Manu Bhaker continued her dream run at the ongoing Paris Olympics after sealing a berth in the final of the women’s 25m pistol. The Haryana-born shooter finished second in the qualification stage combinding the results of both precision and rapid rounds.
Manu, who has already bagged two medals at this Summer Games, shot a total of 294 from three shots in precision and 296 from as many shots in the rapid round to accumulate 590 points to secure the second spot in the 40-member qualification event. She also targeted 24 innermost shots (X).
19-year-old Esha Singh, another Indian who pariticipated in the qualification of women’s 25m pistol, ended at 18th position with 581 points and 17 X shots (291 in precision and 290 in rapid). Only top eight shooters will advance to the final round, which is scheduled on Saturday (August 3).
Hungarian shooter Veronika Major topped the qualification round while equaling the Qualification Olympic record (EQOR) with 592 points. Veronika was just two points ahead of Manu’s tally and the 27-year-old levelled the qualification record of China’s Zhang Jingjing (592 points) set at the 2016 Rio Olympics edition.
Veronika and Manu will compete for the medal along with the likes of Haniyeh Rostamiyan (Iran), Trinh Thu Vinh (Vietnam), Zhao Nan (China), Yang Jiin (South Korea), Camille Jedrzejewski (France), and Katelyn Morgan Abeln (USA) in the final on Saturday.
Manu Bhaker eyes for history
Manu Bhaker has the opportunity to etch her name in the annals of Indian Olympics history by becoming the first athlete to claim three medals at a single edition of the Summer Games. She has won two bronze medals in this quadrennial showpiece event so far – bronze in women’s 10m air pistol individual and bronze in 10m air pistol mixed team event. No Indian individual has ever accounted for three medals at a particular Olympics and Manu has the momentum by her side to achieve the milestone.
Manu Bhaker, who has already bagged two medals at this Summer Games, shot a total of 294 from three shots in precision and 296 from as many shots in the rapid round to accumulate 590 points to secure the second spot in the 40-member qualification event. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today