Shahzar Rizvi and Sushil Ghaley Win Golds Beating Fancied Rivals at the 59th National Shooting Championship

Vijay Kumar had to settle for a silver medal

Shahzar Rizvi of the Indian Air Force and Sushil Ghaley of the Indian Army, beat identical classy fields in the Men’s 10M Air Pistol and 50M Air Rifle events, to be crowned National Champions at the end of day five of the 59th National Shooting Championship, being held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi.

Shahzar beat an eight-man final lineup comprising the likes of Jitu Rai, Vijay Kumar and Omkar Singh, all decorated India internationals along with up and coming India junior talent, Achal Pratap Singh Grewal to clinch the National 10M Air Pistol crown. Vijay Kumar won the Silver while BSF’s Sib Kumar Ghosh won the Bronze in the event. In the finals, Shahzar finished with a total of 199.6 to Vijay’s 198.2. Sib Kumar, who was eliminated before the Gold medal match-up logged 177.2 in the finals. Omkar finished fourth while fancied Jitu Rai, after topping qualification with a score of 582 to reach the finals, could only finish sixth.

In an equally top field in the Men’s 50M Rifle Prone final, Armyman Sushil Ghale, beat the likes of Gagan Narang, Chain Singh and Hariom Singh, again all decorated India internationals, to bag the Gold medal, shooting a total score of 628.7. Gagan won the Silver finishing with a score of 627.2 while upcoming youngster Swapnil Kusale won the bronze with an effort totaling 623.8

Among the other highlights of the day upcoming junior shooting stars Swapnil Kusale in the Rifle discipline and Achal Pratap Singh Grewal in the pistol events, helped themselves to a couple of Gold medals each in the respective junior and civilian sections.