Apurvi Chandela wins gold at the ISSF World Cup 2019 thus giving India the perfect start in the competition. Not only this, she set a new world record in the women’s 10-metre air rifle event at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.
The other two Indians in the fray – Anjum Moudgil and Elavenil Valarivan – finished 12th (628) and 30th (625.3) respectively in the qualifications.
Apurvi Chandela sets a new world-record
It makes my 22 years in sport seem so meaningful when one day in August 2008 a little girl was motivated to take up sport shooting. Congratulations @apurvichandela on a spectacular performance and best wishes for your journey to Tokyo and beyond !
— Abhinav Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) February 23, 2019
The 26-year-old Indian shooter set a new world record by registering a score of 252.9 points in the final on Saturday. She had advanced to the final of 10m Air Rifle event by finishing fourth in the qualifying round with 629.3 points. However, with the help of some outstanding shooting in the final, helped Apurvi script history in the event finale.
“It’s been a bit tough but I’ve been practicing and not giving up. I am glad I got the result today. There are a lot of important competitions ahead. I am looking forward to bettering this performance,” Apurvi Chandela said, as quoted by ANI.
China’s Zhao Ruozhu finished second with 251.8 points while her compatriot Xu Hong had to settle for the bronze medal with 230.4.
Apurvi, even after not being at her best in the qualifying round, finished 1.1 points ahead of the silver medalist.
Humility, calmness, resilience, intense effort – all qualities that would describe Apurvi Chandela’s GOLD and world record in finals performance #ISSFDelhiWorldCup . Congrats Apurvi and her superb physio Sumita. So proud to support you @OGQ_India. pic.twitter.com/ueD5ppMqw7
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) February 23, 2019
The victory sees her become India’s first World Cup gold-medallist in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle since Anjali Bhagwat in 2003, and only the fourth Indian woman to win a World Cup title.
ISSF World Cup 2019
The ongoing World Cup is also an Olympic qualifier, with 14 quota places up for grabs. The top two finishers in seven of the events at the New Delhi World Cup can secure a quota for their countries at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, Chandela has already clinched a quota spot for India at the 2018 World Championships in Changwon.
What a shot!!!! Congratulations @apurvichandela for winning gold in women’s 10 m air rifle at the #ISSFWorldCup
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) February 23, 2019
India’s individual gold medals at the ISSF World Cup
1.Anjali Bhagwat: Women’s 10m Air Rifle, Fort Benning 2003
2. Gagan Narang: Men’s 10m Air Rifle, Guangzhou 2006
3.Gagan Narang: Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions, Changwon 2009
4.Manavjit Singh Sandhu: Men’s Trap, Acapulco 2010
5.Sanjeev Rajput: Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions, Changwon 2011
6.Rahi Sarnobat: Women’s 25m Pistol, Changwon 2013
7.Jitu Rai: Men’s 10m Air Pistol, Maribor 2014
8.Manavjit Singh Sandhu: Men’s Trap, Tucson 2014
9. Manu Bhaker: Women’s 10m Air Pistol, Guadalajara 2018
10. Shahzar Rizvi: Men’s 10m Air Pistol, Guadalajara 2018
11. Akhil Sheoran: Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions, Guadalajara 2018
12. Apurvi Chandela: Women’s 10m Air Rifle, New Delhi 2019
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