Olympic silver medallist Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore fought back with a vengeance to recapture the double trap crown in the 54th National shooting championship at the Dr. Karni Singh Range in Tughlakabad on Tuesday.
In a gripping final, Rathore shot the last two birds to ensure the gold, one point ahead of defending champion Vikram Bhatnagar.
“You don't reach the top and just vanish. People had even said that I should stop. It is good to be back,'' said Rathore, quite emotional after being away from the sport for some time, and missing the last Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in the process.
Rathore shot 138, following rounds of 46, 45 and 47, as he made the final tied at the top with Bhatnagar and Mohammed Ashab.
In the final, he shot 42, despite missing a double early on. The lead kept changing hands between the three leaders before Rathore asserted his undisputed class in the climax.
Double Trap results: Men: 1. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore 180 (138), 2. Vikram Bhatnagar 179 (138), 3. Mohammed Ashab 177 (138). Team: 1. Delhi 385; 2. Army 378; 3. Uttar Pradesh 356.
Juniors: 1. Shayaan Masood 131; 2. Ankur Mittal 111; 3. Syed Ali Bin Hadi 110.
Women: 1. Shreyasi Singh 90, 2. Seema Tomar 73, 3. Varsha Tomar 73. Juniors: 1. Shreyasi Singh 90 ( NR , old 78), 2. Asiya F. Khilji (60), 3. Varsha Tomar 60.
