Ajay Mittal asserted himself in a star-studded field, as the juniors came to the fore to declare a bright future, in double trap in the 55th National shotgun championship at the Karni Singh Shooting Range, Tughlakabad, on Wednesday.
It was an impressive fare by the 23-year-old Haryana lad Ajay, as he shot 185 in taming a strong field that had Asian Games gold medallist Ronjan Sodhi, Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, apart from a clutch of youngsters who meant business on a bright and windy day.
“I am very happy. I was expecting a good performance. Did not think about who were all in the final'', said Ajay, even as he grappled with his emotions. The MBA student of Manav Rachna University, shot the best in the final, with a 47, after having tied with younger brother Ankur Mittal and Ronjan, on 138 in the qualification.
Comfortable win
In fact, Ajay Mittal was winning hands down as he had missed only one of the first 45 birds. He did miss the 46th and 48th birds to give some hopes for the rest, but shot the last pair to ensure gold. He could have had a lead but for a 42 in the third round, after 48 in the first two.
Delhi boy Sangram Dahiya, who also pursues an MBA course, was able to push Rathore to the bronze by one point with a total of 183, quite creditable after he had trailed the leaders by one point before the final. After 48, 45 and 44, he lifted himself up with a 46 in the final.
Rathore was quite pleased with the performance of the youngsters and praised Ajay Mittal, even as he conceded that he was disappointed with his own fare in the final. He had shot 45, 47 and 45 in qualification. “I kept looking at the scoreboard and made sure that I hit the last bird'', said Rathore who could have had a better total in qualification but for missing the last birds.
Ronjan finished fourth on count back with a total of 181, after 43 in the final, the same as Ankur Mittal. He had shot 47, 46 and 45 in qualification.
Ronjan was credited 48 in the first round, but he was spontaneous in correcting the official score by revealing that he had missed one.
Coach Marcello Dradi was also quite pleased with the performance of the youngsters and pointed out that it was an impressive effort by Shayan Masood, who beat World junior champion Asher Noria 4-3 in the tie-break to make the final after the two had tied at 135. He shot 45 in the final and finished sixth.
Nothing to worry
Coach Dradi said that there was nothing to worry about Ronjan's performance in the final, as his Olympic preparation would start only in March. Ronjan was also not too keen to push himself hard, after ensuring that he stayed in the lead for Olympic qualification, on the terms specified by the national federation. “I had nothing to gain and nothing to lose'', remarked Ronjan.
It was a proud moment for the Mittal family, as the two brothers, along with their father Ashok Mittal, clinched the team bronze for Haryana behind Delhi and Punjab. Ankur Mittal also won the junior gold. Ajay said that he was grateful to coach Moraad Ali Khan, even as he pointed out that father Ashok took care of the mental training aspect.
Shreyasi Singh, more known for her prowess in trap won the women's double trap with a 12-point margin over Seema Tomar, who has the only women's trap silver in a World Cup by an Indian.
The results: Double trap: Men: 1. Ajay Mittal 185 (138); 2. Sangram Dahiya 183 (137); 3. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore 182 (137). Team: 1. Delhi 403; 2. Punjab 402; 3. Haryana 391.
Juniors: 1. Ankur Mittal 138; 2. Shayan Masood 135; 3. Asher Noria 135.
Women: 1. Shreyasi Singh 92; 2. Seema Tomar 80; 3. Varsha Tomar 78.
Juniors: 1. Varsha Varman 77; 2. Malika Wig 57.
