SIDHU WINS GOLD

28-year-old shooter claims nation’s 3rd gold in shooting

Thankfully, my trigger finger which has been giving me some trouble because of a tingling sensation was alright today (Tuesday)

Pistol shooter Heena Sidhu shone the brightest with a gold and a Games record, while para-powerlifter Sachin Chaudhary put behind a dope-tainted past to claim a surprise bronze as the Indian juggernaut slowed down a bit after five days of gold rush at the Commonwealth Games here on Tuesday.

With weightlifters through with their campaign, wrestlers yet to take off and boxers only getting into medal rounds, the number of medal were not too many to show on day six of the Games.

However, India held on to their third spot in the overall tally, behind hosts Australia and England. The Indian contingent has so far collected 11 gold, four silver and six bronze medals.

The ranges at Belmot Shooting Centre in Brisbane were expecting to boom with strong Indian performances but it wasn't a particularly great start as Gagan Narang and Chain Singh finished outside the medal bracket in the 50m rifle prone event.

However, Sidhu made up for it to an extent by shooting down the gold as well as the games record in the women's 25m pistol event.

“I am exhausted, those are my thoughts on today's performance,” Sidhu said.

“Thankfully, my trigger finger which has been giving me some trouble because of a tingling sensation was alright today,” she added referring to a nerve problem she has been battling for the last few months.

At the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre, Chaudhary gave India India their only other medal of the day in

Shooter Heena

para powerlifting with an effort of 181kg in the men's heavyweight final.

The medal was redemption of sorts for Chaudhary, who was banned for two years after failing a dope test in 2014. He had tested positive for the anabolic steroid methandienone and testosterone abuse in June that year.

Without dwelling on his past, the lifter merely said he expects the medal to change things for good for him.

“In India, the Commonwealth Games is regarded as one of the most prestigious sporting events. This is a life-changing moment for me,” he said.

It was a brilliant day for the boxers at the Oxenford Studios, where all five in action assured themselves of medals by advancing to the semifinals. Among them was veteran Manoj Kumar (69kg), a gold-medallist from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Joining him were a bunch of debutants -- Amit Panghal (49kg), Mohammed Hussamuddin (56kg), the 19-year-old Naman Tanwar (91kg) and former Asian Games bronze-medallist Satish Kumar (+91kg).

The boxers have so far guaranteed themselves six medals in all as, among the women, MC Mary Kom (48kg) is also through to the semifinals.

“I won't say it has been a very strong performance so far but certainly it has got us results. ,” Director Santiago Nieva said.