Chandela gives India a rousing start Send team to IOC at once: Randhir
The 2014 CWG gold medallist wins women’s 10m air rifle with world record
NEWDELHI: Apurvi Chandela took to shooting inspired by the man who won India’s biggest sporting prize —an individual Olympic gold. On Saturday, the petite girl from Jaipur showed composure, monk-like focus and nerves of steel akin to her role model Abhinav Bindra in winning the gold medal with a world record in women’s 10m air rifle (252.9).
After staving off intense competition from three Chinese shooters in a thrilling 24-shot final, Apurvi did not betray emotions even as the packed arena gave her a thunderous applause. She merely broke into a smile, made a victory sign and raised her hand, almost as an afterthought. “That’s the way I am. I don’t celebrate much,” she said.
Having already bagged a Tokyo Olympics quota place, following a fourth place in the World Championships in Changwon last year, Apurvi proved her class in a quality field.
Chinese Zhao Ruozhu, Xu Hong and Zhu Yingjie, who came second, third and fourth respectively, were breathing down her neck in the final. The quota places for Tokyo Olympics went to Zhao and Hu.
Apurvi stepped it up magnificently after a slow start. A 10.8 on her 16th shot moved her up to second as the crowd roared. She then shot 10.6 to take top spot, replacing Zhao. Once in the zone, she continued her brilliant streak, scoring high 10s. Her last 11 shots were 10.5 or better with four 10.8s.
Zhao, who held the previous world record of 252.4 which she achieved last year, was perched at the top but could not keep pace with Apurvi. That Apurvi would shoot a world record score after starting with a 10.1 was something she had not imagined. She qualified with 629 in fourth place while Zhao, the Asian Games champion, shot a qualification world record 634.
STICKING TO ROUTINE
In the final though, Apurvi was a different beast. She got better and better with every shot and went for the kill on the home stretch. “I checked my positioning, technique, gave a few clicks (after the first shot). Definitely I did not aim to shoot a 10.1 in the first shot (in the final) but I am happy I could build up and reach a world record,” said the 26-yearold.
“When I came to know I am at the top, I did feel a bit of nerves, but I was just asking myself ‘to stay calm. It’s a matter of few shots and you can do it’.”
She said: “The crowd kept motivating me. I could hear ‘India, India’. That helped stick to my technique and execute each shot the way I wanted to.”
Apurvi started shooting in 2008 and won gold in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which she rates highly. She qualified for the Rio Olympics but finished 34th.
BOUNCING BACK
Injuries pegged her down for some time but Apurvi bounced back last year, having won a quota, with focus on Tokyo Olympics.
“When I got the quota also, my aim was not to get the quota but to follow my technique, putting that to use. Today also I was focused on every shot, keeping my calm and just going for it.”
Her compatriots Anjum Moudgil, who won gold and an Olympic quota at the World Championships, failed to qualify for the eight-women final, finishing 12th with a score of 628. Young Elavenil Valarivan (625.3) finished 30th in qualification.
Mehuli Ghosh, who was competing in minimum qualification score (MQS), scored a spectacular 631. In the rapid fire precision round, Manu Bhaker scored 296 to be perched at the top in qualification while Rahi Sarnobat tallied 287. The second stage and final is on Sunday. NEW DELHI: India must quickly send a delegation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to explain the current situation so that the ban on hosting international tournaments can be lifted, said IOC member (honorary) Randhir Singh.
His expertise was sought by the National Rifle Association of India to deal with the unprecedented situation that arose after Pakistani shooters were denied visa and the shooting World Cup in Delhi was on the verge of losing its status as an Olympic qualifying event. The seasoned administrator, who played a key role in negotiating with IOC and saving an embarrassment, said a joint delegation of IOA and sports ministry must visit IOC and explain the scenario in the country.
He said IOC had kept a watch on India since a Kosovo boxer was not issued visa to take part in the women’s boxing World Championships held here last November. The Pakistan shooters’ visa denial aggravated the situation.
“It is about the border trouble and what happened with the country’s jawans being slain. So it should be explained with proper perspective. IOC will appreciate it and a proper delegation should go and explain it to them — a delegation comprising the government and the NOC.
“IOA has already sent a circular to prepare a team to meet IOC. The only problem that took place was in the Kosovo issue. Now they (IOC) are trying to say ‘you did this earlier and now you are doing it again’.
So, I think someone needs to go there and explain to them the reasons for these two different situations,” he said.
“Olympic charter is firm on
Olympic charter is firm on the fact that you can’t leave countries out if you want to hold an event. But in our situation, it is different. It’s not a diplomatic problem but it is the problem of the border. RANDHIR SINGH, IOC Member
the fact that you can’t leave countries out if you want to hold an event. But in our situation, it is different. It’s not a diplomatic problem but it is the problem of the border. Under those circumstances all that is needed to be done is to explain this to the IOC.
“In Kosovo issue, they should have given permission because that is no border issue. That is something our ministry should look into. If we don’t have diplomatic ties, during the Olympic Games also everyone gives entry to every country. As it stands now, IOC says no events (without clear government guarantees), so they have to go and explain to them and also decide what needs to be done in the future.”
TRICKY AFFAIR
For the Hockey Series Finals in Bhubaneswar, Asian Games champions and Olympics hosts Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, South Africa, USA and Uzbekistan are the other teams in fray.
The problem will rear its head again as India may have to host the Olympic Qualification Events matches in October and November where Pakistan, who recently pulled out of the FIH Pro League, could be in the fray. The bid documents for the 2022 World Cup have already been submitted with FIH. In response to a questionnaire by HT, the international hockey body’s CEO Thierry Weil was cautious, saying it would consult IOC before taking a decision. “We will engage with the IOC to understand and get clarity on the concrete implications of this decision. Only thereafter will we be able to provide any further comments on FIH events planned in India or for which India is bidding,” Weil said in an email response on Saturday.