The Hindu : Sport / Shooting : Gagan scales a new peak

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Saturday, May 02, 2009
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Gagan scales a new peak

HYDERABAD: Gagan Narang has emerged the big gun of the small bore events, scaling a peak none has climbed before. With his impressive string of recent international achievements, the Hyderabad crack-shot now figures in the world top 10 rankings of every Olympic rifle event.

According to the International Shooting Sport Federation’s (ISSF) latest rankings list, the 10m air rifle world record holder is fourth in his pet event, sixth in the 50m three position and ninth in the 50m prone. This is a distinction no Indian has enjoyed thus far, revealing his versatility, especially over the 50m disciplines that he took up only recently.

In last month’s World Cup at Changwon, South Korea, Gagan figured in the finals of all the rifle events, the first such feat by an Indian shooter. In the 50m three position, he landed the gold — the lone Indian ever to do so — and a bronze in the 10m air rifle. Winning medals in two events of a World Cup is another first for Gagan.

Bigger boost

Speaking to The Hindu, Gagan said, “Becoming the world No. 1 in the 10m air rifle event was a red-letter day in my career. Being the first Indian to figure in the top 10 rankings of all three rifle events is a bigger boost to my morale and confidence, which have reached new levels.” — Special Correspondent

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