Job is to shoot, not fret over changes: Jitu
NEW DELHI: The world shooting body (ISSF) is yet to finalise the format of the mixed team events, but ace Indian pistol shooter Jitu Rai is hardly bothered about it because he feels a marksman’s job is just to shoot without worrying about other factors.
The ISSF has included mixed team events at the World Cup Finals.
The new mixed gender events in air rifle, air pistol and trap have been included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Programme.
The step follows the guidelines of the IOC Agenda 2020, embracing gender equality in sports.
This year, mixed gender team events were included as test events at two ISSF World Cup Rifle/pistol stages and at three
ISSF World Cup Shotgun stages, but here medals in these events will count.
“We are still coming to terms with the format (of mixed event) because the ISSF is constantly tweaking the rules in search of the best one. But that hardly bothers because my job is to shoot and that is what I can do,” said Jitu.
“My job is to prepare and respond according to situations without worrying about other factors,” added the Army marksman, who has won silver in World Cup and World Championships. will take part. The meet is next only to World Championships in the annual calendar.
World Cup Finals is the concluding part of the three World Cup series held annually. The best shooters in rifle, pistol and shotgun compete in the year-ending event.
Top eight shooters qualify for the event. Two from a nation can enter in an event. If a top shooter is absent for an event, the next in the ranking will come in.
Wildcards are given to defending champions and Olympic and World Championships medal winners.
In non-olympic/ World Championships year, only top shooters are invited to compete. will match their skills in the five-day meet to be held in the Capital. 10m air rifle 10m air pistol & 50m free pistol 50m free pistol Indian squad will take part, including Ankur Mittal, world No 1 in double trap. 10m air rifle Jitu Rai and
10m air pistol mixed team event and Meghana Sajjana 10m air rifle mixed team event