India got off the blocks at the 2016 ISSF World Cup in Bangkok on Friday, courtesy a Gold from ace pistol shooter Jitu Rai in the Men’s 50m Air Pistol event.
The 28-year-old fired a final tally of 191.3 to finish 4.8 ahead of second placed Wei Pang of China, who won silver. His fellow countrymen, Zhiwei Wang won the bronze with a score of 165.8.
Rai finished third in the qualification round, behind Wang and Pang with a score of 562 but brought his ‘A’ game to the forefront in the final with a string of fine shots.
This is the Indian’s 5th World Cup medal and a second one in the 50m Pistol event. He had won the Silver in this event at the 2014 Maribor World Cup and he also has a Gold, Silver and a Bronze in the 10m Air Pistol event at World Cups.
Earlier, Prakash Nanjappa couldn't make the cut into the final, finishing 17th in qualifying with a score of 549.
India had endured a slightly disappointing opening day with no shooter winning a medal and hopefully, Rai’s effort serves as a,motivation for several others to win more medals for the country in Bangkok.
Speaking after his triumph, Rai said that his aim was to win Gold at Rio 2016 and added that he was confident heading into the final today.
“Given the amount of training and efforts I put in preparation of this competition, I was really confident before today’s match,” he said.
“The goal for the 2016 season is very clear: I want to win the Olympic Gold medal in Rio de Janeiro,” he said right after the final,” he added.
