Bindra, Narang Shoot The First Gold For India

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Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang won gold in 10 m air rifle pairs event to get India the first gold in the 19th Commonwealth Games. Olympic Gold medallist Bindra and world champion Narang shooted a new Commonwealth Games record scoring 1193 points breaking the record set by themselves 4 years earlier. The pair won gold with a record score of 1189 in Melbourne in 2006.

James Huckle and Kenny Parr won silver for England with 1174 points while Bangladeshi pair of Md Assif Hossain Khan and Abdullah Hel Baki won bronze with 1173.

In 50 m pistol pairs event Omkar Singh and Deepak Sharma won silver putting up a score of 1087. They finished behind Swee Hon Lim and Bin Gai of Singapore who finished with 1094 points. The pair of Roger Peter Daniel and Rhodney Richard of Trinidad and Tobago won bronze in the event with 1081 points.

In women’s 25 m pistol pair event Indian pair of Rani Sarnobat and Anisa Sayyed set up another Commonwealth Games record with 1156 points. Australians Linda Ryan and Lalita Yauhlauskaya won silver and Gorgs Geiki and Julia Lydall of England won bronze.

India have traditionally performed well in Commonwealth Games shooting hauling 24 medals in 2002 Manchester and then 27 in the Melbourne edition 4 years later. With the quality of shooters and their current form, more medals can be expected this time too.

India currently is in the second position in the medals tally with 2 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals. Australia is on top with 4 golds.