World Cup silver medallist Seema Tomar outclassed qualification topper Rajeshwari Kumari 11-8 in the battle for the gold in women’s trap at the Police Academy Shooting Range in the National Games here on Monday.
The 32-year-old Ms. Seema, who had won the silver medal in the Dorset World Cup in 2010, had qualified in the fifth place for the knock-out phase with a modest total of 60, after having started with a round of 18.
She topped the semifinals with 11 points, one ahead of Rajeshwari, and retained her control over the proceedings in the eventual fight for gold.
However, Ms. Seema had to be content with the team bronze as Varsha Tomar’s below par 40 pulled the team down, after Shikha Bhaduria pulled her weight with 58, which was not good to put her in the knock-out phase.
Asiya Khilji (62) of Tamil Nadu piped Aakriti Khapra for the bronze, while Olympian Shagun Chowdhary of Rajasthan, who had qualified third with the second best total of 62, had to settle for the fifth place with seven points in the semifinal, one ahead of Mahima Kumar Mahajan of Delhi.
Asiya Khilji’s efforts along with that of NS Nivetha (55) and Asila Feroze Khilji (52) fetched the team gold for Tamil Nadu, two points ahead of Delhi.
Former national champion Shreyasi Singh settled for the eighth spot with a score of 56 while the recently crowned national champion Snehlata Singh Rajawat was 12th with a score of 51.
Meanwhile, the reigning national champion Zoravar Singh Sandhu led in men’s trap with a total of 71 after rounds of 23, 23 and 25. He was one point ahead of Punjab team mate and former World Champion Manavjit Singh Sandhu. Former Asian champion Anwer Sultan (69), former national champion Anirudh Singh (68) and Prithviraj Tondaiman (68), Darius Chenai (67) followed while national silver medalist Birendeep Sodhi had 66 against his name.
Two more rounds and the knock-out phase will be shot on Tuesday.
The results:
Women:
Trap: 1. Seema Tomar (Ser) 11 (11) 60; 2. Rajeshwari Kumari (Pun) 8 (10) 67; 3. F Asiya Khilji (TN) 10 (9) 62; 4. Aakriti Khapra (Del) 9 (8) 60.
Team: 1. Tamil Nadu 169; 2. Delhi 167; 3. Services 158.
