Shooting stars make a mark

Indian shooters finally overcame the Rio Olympics debacle, winning quite a few medals on the world stage

Jitu Rai World No 8 — Free pistol

The country’s top pistol shooter made a good start by winning the 50m free pistol gold in the season’s opening World Cup in New Delhi in March. He also won silver in 10m air pistol. Thanks to the two stellar performances, the Army marksman’s world ranking in free pistol rose to eighth. He is currently 11th in air weapon.

Amanpreet Singh

World No 7 — Free pistol

The Punjab shooter bagged his maiden World Cup medal — silver — in 50m free pistol in New Delhi and clinched bronze in the World Cup Final in October.

Ankur Mittal

World No 1 — Double trap

The shotgun shooter reaped rich harvest in 2017, winning gold in the Acapulco World Cup and silver in the World Championship in Moscow. With 2,399 points, the Haryana marksman became world No 1 in October and continues to hold the position in December.

Ravi Kumar

World No 14 — 10m air rifle

The Air Force shooter was the most improved shooter in 2017

The national champion finished eighth in the New Delhi edition of the World Cup and fifth in Munich World Cup. He won bronze in the year-end Asian Championship.

Pooja Ghatkar

World No 12 — 10m air rifle

The Maharashtra rifle shooter shot a World Cup bronze at New Delhi. In the Commonwealth Championship in November, she won gold. She missed the podium in the recently concluded Asian Championship.

Heena Sidhu

World No 17 — 10m air pistol

The shooter combined with Jitu Rai to win gold in mixed team event in the World Cup Final. The Olympian also gave a good account of herself at the Commonwealth Championship.