Bindra defends air rifle national title

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Olympic medallists Abhinav Bindra and Vijay Kumar clinched a gold medal each in 10-metre air rifle and 25-metre standard pistol events respectively at the 58th National Shooting Championship here on Monday.

India's only Olympic gold medallist in individual sport, the 32-year-old Bindra shot a total of 208 to walk away with the top prize and defend his title in 10-metre air rifle at the Balewadi Shooting Range.

Vijay, a silver medallist at the 2012 london Games, shot a total of 571 to become the new national champion in 25-metre standard pistol category. Army marksman Satyendra Singh finished second with a total of 207.2 in 10-metre air rifle event, while Haryana's Sanjeev Rajput settled for the bronze shooting a total of 185.

Ironically, Rajput had taken the pole position in the qualifications shooting a total of 624, while Bindra trailed the Haryana marksman by 3 points.

In the team event the Army Marksmanship Unit of Satyendra, Chain Singh and Chavanke Ashok won the gold shooting 1857.5 points. Punjab finished second with 1846.3 and the Air Force team settled for the bronze with 1842.9.

In the 25-metre standard pistol event, Army marksman Gurpreet Singh walked away with the silver medal after shooting 570. Omkar Singh from Navy settled for the bronze with a total of 568.

Daily Pioneer
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