India Dominates at the ISSF Junior World Cup: A Podium Sweep in Women's 10m Air Rifle Event
In an exhilarating display of talent and skill, India has firmly asserted its dominance at the ISSF Junior World Cup, currently taking place at the Dr. Karni Singh Range in Tughlakabad. The Indian team continues to lead the medals table with an impressive tally of six gold, eight silver, and six bronze medals, showcasing the depth of talent in the country.
Ojasvi Thakur Leads the Charge
On Monday, the spotlight was on Ojasvi Thakur, who emerged victorious in the women's 10m air rifle event. The 16-year-old shooter, trained by Dronacharya awardee Suma Shirur at the Lakshya Club in Mumbai, claimed the gold medal with a score of 252.7, surpassing her closest competitor, Hrudya Shri, by a margin of 2.5 points. The atmosphere was electric, filled with enthusiastic cheering from the crowd, as Ojasvi celebrated her remarkable achievement.
Notable Performances in Women's Air Rifle
The competition was fierce, with Shambhavi Kshirsagar, who had topped the qualification round, finishing in third place with a score of 229.4. Shambhavi had previously won gold at the Junior World Cup in Suhl earlier in the season, defeating Ojasvi.
Junior Men's Air Rifle: Himanshu's Stellar Performance
In the junior men's air rifle event, Himanshu showcased his exceptional skill, denying Dmitrii Pimenov of the Independent Neutral Athlete (AIN) team a chance at double gold. With a final score of 250.9, Himanshu finished just one point ahead of Pimenov, who had closed the gap to 0.5 points before the final shot. Himanshu, who scored 633.7 in qualification, delivered a remarkable final shot of 10.5 to secure the gold medal.
25m Rapid Fire Pistol Event Highlights
The 25-meter rapid fire pistol event also brought excitement, where Mukesh Nelavalli faced off against Aleksandr Kovalev of AIN. After a tie at 27 points in the final, the competition went to a shoot-off, where Mukesh was edged out 3-1 by Kovalev. Despite holding a two-point lead before the final series of five shots, Mukesh's performance faltered, resulting in the tie.
Medal Standings Overview
As the competition continues, India remains at the forefront of the medal standings:
- India: 6 Gold, 8 Silver, 6 Bronze
- Ain: 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
Results Summary
Here are the final results from the key events:
10m Air Rifle
- Junior Men:
- Himanshu: 250.9 (633.7)
- Dmitrii Pimenov (AIN): 249.9 (630.9)
- Abhinav Shaw: 228.4 (628.4)
- Naraen Pranav: 187.0 (629.5)
- RPO: Mohammed Vania 627.1; Piyush Sharma 626.0
- Junior Women:
- Ojasvi Thakur: 252.7 (631.9)
- Hrudya Shri: 250.2 (629.8)
- Shambhavi Kshirsagar: 229.4 (632.0)
- RPO: Anvi Rathod 628.3; Isha Taksale 625.3
25m Rapid Fire Pistol
- Junior Men:
- Aleksandr Kovalev (AIN): 27(3) 571
- Mukesh Nelavalli: 27(1) 571
- Suraj Sharma: 21 (577)
- Sameer Ghulia: 15 (572)
The ISSF Junior World Cup continues to be a platform for young athletes to shine, and India is undoubtedly making its mark on the international stage.