Junior Shooting World Cup: Bhaker continues golden run

New Delhi: Golden girl Manu Bhaker continued her red hot form to claim individual and team gold medals, while Gaurav Rana bagged a silver for India in the ISSF Junior World Cup in Sydney on Saturday.

Manu, 16, who won two golds in her maiden senior World Cup in Mexico recently, topped the women’s 10m air pistol event, beating Thailand’s Kanyakorn Hirunphoem in a thrilling final.

Manu shot 235.9 to finish on top ahead of Kanyakorn (234.9) and China’s Kaiman Lu (214.2).

Manu prevailed over Kanyakorn on the very last shot. After leading by 2.2 points, she fired six consecutive shots outside the 10th ring, suddenly finding herself one point behind Kanyakorn with only two shots left. There, the 9.6-9.8 combo scored by the Indian was enough to overtake her rival, who only managed 7.9.

Rana bagged sliver while Anmol Jain took bronze in the men’s 10m air pistol event.

Rana scored 233.9 while Anmol totalled 215.1 behind China’s Wang Zhehao’s junior world record score of 242.5. Devanshi Rana finished fourth with 195.3.

Manu, Rana and Mahima Agrawal won gold in the team event ahead of China’s Xiao, Lu and Li Xue and Thailand’s Kanyakorn, Luxciga Srinitivoravong and Warunyapha Kaewngoen.

India finished second in the standings with 11 medals, including five golds, while China led with 13 podium finishes (six golds).