Young Indian shooter Arjun Babuta beat Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Lukas Kozeniski to win gold in the 10m air rifle event of the ISSF World Cup on Monday. Arjun defeated Kozniewski of America 17-9 in the final. Arjun has opened India’s account with gold in the competition. This is Arjun’s first gold medal in the senior category’s World Cup. Earlier in 2016, he won a gold medal in the Junior World Cup held in Gabala, Azerbaijan. Arjun was born in Fazilka, Punjab and currently lives in Chandigarh.
Scored 261.1 in the qualifying round for the gold medal
Arjun, 23, had topped the qualifying round for the gold medal with a score of 261.1. Kozniski was second at 260.4 and bronze medalist Sergei Rishter of Israel scored 259.9. In the final round, Arjun took a 10-4 lead in the first seven single-shot series. After that no one could follow him.
Although Kozniski of America, who won the silver medal, did not give up till the end, but Arjun scored 10 to win the gold medal. India has won its first medal in the World Cup after the appointment of Thomas Farnick, the Australian coach of the Indian team. Another Indian was Parth Makhija, who finished fifth in the qualifying round on Sunday. In the final, he finished fourth with a score of 258.1.
49 shooters taking part
49 Indian shooters are taking part in the World Cup to be held in Changwon, Korea till July 21. This tournament is very important keeping in mind the World Championships to be held this year. 432 shooters from 44 countries are involved in the World Cup. Last time in the World Cup held in Baku, Azerbaijan, India finished fifth with two gold and Jean silver medals.
numbers game
- 2016: Arjun has also won gold medal in Junior World Cup held in Azerbaijan
- Kozniewski of America, the silver medalist of Tokyo Olympics, finished at number 02.
Expansion
Young Indian shooter Arjun Babuta on Monday surpassed Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Lukas Kozeniski to win a gold medal in the 10m air rifle event of the ISSF World Cup. Arjun defeated Kozniewski of America 17-9 in the final. Arjun has opened India’s account with gold in the competition.
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