Palembang, Indonesia: Rahi Sarnobat became India’s first ever female shooting champion at the Asian Games on Wednesday after clinching gold in the 25 metre air pistol in Palembang.
Sarnobat overcame a tense shoot-off with Thailand’s Naphaswan Yangpaiboon after both athletes had set a new Asian Games record of 34 points.
Sarnobat, 27, was in top form but was up against a gritty Yangpaiboon, with the first shoot-off ending in a tie.
But the Indian won the second shoot-off by a single shot.
South Korea’s Kim Min-jung took bronze with a score of 29.
However India’s title favourite Manu Bhaker ended a disappointing sixth after scoring 16.
India have already bagged a gold in men’s shooting at Asia’s regional Olympics, which are being hosted by Indonesia.
Sixteen-year-old Saurabh Chaudhary won the 10 metre air pistol competition on Tuesday.
Sanorbat is coached by Mongolian-born Munkhbayar Dorjsuren, a two-time world champion and Olympic medallist who is a German citizen. — AFP
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