SHOOTING CONTINGENT EXPECTED TO BRING LAURELS TO THE NATION

Shooting events are scheduled at Asaka Shooting Range from 24 July to 2 August 2021 in Tokyo Olympics. Shooting has bought many laurels to the nation at this mega sporting event. Let’s examine medal hopes from our pistol shooters under the lens.

Abhishek VermaManu BhakerSaurabh Chaudhary

Abhishek Verma and Saurabh Chaudhary are the best finds in the previous few years. Both will blaze their pistols from 10-meter on the opening day of the Olympics. As per rankings, both are at the first two spots. Saurabh is cool like a monk. Meerut lad is in red-hot form this year. Abhishek is also maintaining his sizzling touch in 2021. There is little to say that who is better of the two. Only Olympic medals are missing in their portfolio. Both north Indian prodigies have every reason to kick start the medal campaign with their best hopes.

Yashswini Singh Deswal and Manu Bhaker will compete in a 10-meter pistol on the second day of the competition. The threat to a medal can emerge from some European shooters.  Zorana Arunovic of Serbia must be looking to fetch her first Olympic medal. Anna Korakaki (Greece) and Viktoria Chaika (Belarus) could also scotch the aspirations. Despite, as per Tokyo 2020 rankings, both occupy the first two ranks respectively. The duo is way ahead of the rest in the field and do not be surprised if we snatch two medals in it on 25th July.

Mix event in teams has been introduced at Tokyo 2020. 27th of July could be another red-letter day for India in sports. Pairs of Saurabh Chaudhary & Manu Bhaker and Abhishek Verma & Yashaswini Deswal will keep the imagination on fire as they compete in a 10m air pistol mixed team. It’s a team event and combined force. Expect at least a pair to step up the podium.

Rahi Sarnobat and Manu Bhaker will fire pistols from a 25-meter distance. The pair is among the best in the business. Kolhapur girl Rahi won Gold in the Asian Games by a cliffhanger in the final. The event is on 29th and 30th July. Keep your eyes on others as well. Anna Korakaki (Greece) won Gold in Rio. Monika Karsch (GER) must be looking to upgrade her medal from white to yellow. Olena Kostevych (UKR) is very experienced. Jingjing Zhang (CHN) has every element to upset the party of Indian shooters.

This is one of the most talented shooting contingents in recent memory for the Olympics. Many shooters have won plenty of medals in various tournaments. Winning few from the Japanese capital will only justify their well-deserved respect. Let’s hope that we reach our best medal tally to meet the national sentiment.