Manavjit takes gold

CHANDIGARH: For mer world champion Manavjit Singh Sandhu got t he better o f two-time Olympic champion Michael Diamond of Australia to clinch gold in trap at the ongoing World Cup in Tucson, USA, on Friday.

Manavjit shot 121 out of a possible of 125 in the qualification round. The 37-year-old was placed third among the six shooters who made it to the semifinal round. In the semis, he was tied with three others but went on to win the shootout to set up a title clash with Diamond.

In the final, he hit 13 clay pigeons while Diamond could only manage to hit nine. The bronze went to Alexey Alipov of Russia.

“Diamond is the best shooter the trap event has ever seen and getting better of him and that too for the gold medal is challenging. I am happy that he did it and that too in the World

IN THE FINAL, HE HIT 13 CLAY PIGEONS WHILE DIAMOND COULD ONLY MANAGE TO HIT NINE

Cup,” said father, Gurbir Singh, who is also an Arjuna awardee in trap.

“Before travelling to the US, Manav was down with viral fever for almost four-five days and I told him that if his health didn’t allow him, it was better that he skipped the event. But despite acute weakness, he was confident of doing well and he did it,” he added.

“Winning against Diamond has been challenging but at the end you have to hit your targets, and the final score is what it is,” said Manavjit.

“I prepared for this World Cup throughout the winter season. We had several championships and trials in India in the last months. I never stopped shooting,” the shooter, currently ranked 16th in the world, added.