Gagan Narang wins World Cup bronze, earns India quota for Rio Olympics

Gagan Narang

Star Indian shooter and Olympic bronze medalist Gagan Narang has earned the Olympic quota in men’s 50m Rifle Prone event at ISSF World Cup in Fort Benning in U.S.A. Narang, who had finished at third place in the 10m Air Rifle event at London Olympics three years ago, also grabbed the bronze medal by scoring 185.8 points in the final round.

Narang’s start was not that good in the qualification round as he shot only 102.3 in the first relay but with each passing shot he became more and more confident. He scored a superb 105.0 and 105.6 in the next two rounds. He then faltered a bit in the next relay as he scored 104.3. He finished off in style by scoring 105.1 and 104.1 in the last two shot sequences.

With a total of 626.3 Narang was the 8th and last shooter to qualify for the final stage. America’s Michael McPhail was the top scorer in the qualification round with a total of 631.9 points followed by Matthew Emons and Bojan Durkovic.

Third Indian shooter to earn Olympics berth

Two Olympic quota places were up for grab in this category but Norway’s Bryhn Ole Kristian, who won the silver in this event, had already earned the Olympic quota. Narang and Michael McPhail of U.S.A sealed the quota places for their respective countries.

Narang is the third Indian shooter to earn the Olympics berth, Apurvi Chandela in women’s 10m Air Rifle and Jitu Rai in men’s 50m Rifle prone have already secured their Olympic berths.

Surendra Sinh Rathod finished at 14th spot with 624.7 pts; Chain Singh at 24th spot wit 623.9 pts in the Qualification round.

Many congrats to @gaGunNarang for the bronze and quota. Well done !

— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 15, 2015

Yes, yes, yes!!! Bronze for @gaGunNarang @ USA World Cup in 50m prone, more Imp quota place for #Rio2016 @OGQ_India

— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) May 15, 2015

Another Indian shooter @gaGunNarang makes the cut for the Olympics. Look forward to another medal, Gagan. Well done @OGQ_India.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 15, 2015