The Hindu : Sport : Bindra withdraws from World Cup

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 23, 2006

Sport

Sport

Bindra withdraws from World Cup

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: Shooters are on the hunt. Securing more Olympic quota places, after rifle shooter Gagan Narang clinched the first berth to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, is high on the priority.

India's prospects, however, received a minor blow with Narang's compatriot, Abhinav Bindra, withdrawing from the upcoming ISSF World Cup in Brazil. Bindra cited his health as a reason for the withdrawal.

"Bindra's non-participation is a blow to our quota place prospects. He was our top candidate for securing the second Olympic quota place in Brazil," said coach Sunny Thomas.

Bindra is suffering from back problem and would have to be on traction for two weeks. "He has an old back problem that aggravated during the camp here," Thomas said.

The two-time Olympian will, however, have three more chances this year to pick up the quota place. World Cups in Munich (May 22 to 29) and Milan (May 29 to June 5), and the World championship in Croatia are the events where quota places are on offer.

No replacement

With Bindra pulling out at the eleventh hour, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) decided not to send any replacement in the air rifle and rifle three-position events. The 30-member Indian team leaves early on Sunday for the Brazilian city of Resende, which is hosting the World Cup from April 25 to May 2.

Sushma also pulls out

Pistol shooter Sushma Rana also withdrew on medical grounds, which left women rifle shooters, Tejaswini Sawant, Avneet Kaur Siddhu and Kuheli Gangulee, as the best hopes for clinching the quota place.

Tejaswini came within one point of securing an Olympic berth in the Guangzhou World Cup in China. She shot 395 out of 400, while the shooter who grabbed the quota had a score of 396.

At a party to celebrate Indian shooting teams' fantastic show at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, the World Cup-bound shooters were felicitated by the NRAI on Friday. Vice-President of India, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, conferred silver salvers to the big achievers - Samaresh Jung, Gagan Narang and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. While the rifle and pistol shooters are off to Brazil, shotgun marksmen are headed to Kerrville in the United States.

"I hope to perform better in the U.S.," said Rathore. "There will be two more World Cups and the World championship to pick up quota places and I am hoping for the best," he added.

The shotgun World Cups are scheduled to be held in Cairo (May 16 to 25) and Suhl, Germany (June 6 to 15).

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