India to have two entries in men’s trap at Rio Games

NEW DELHI: There will be two entries in men’s trap from India at the Rio Olympics. Kynan Chenai will join former world champion Manavjit Singh Sandhu after the youngster was given the replacement spot in place of rifle shooter Sanjeev Rajput.

Rajput’s quota, which he won in the 50m rifle 3 positions category, was up for a swap as Gag an Na rang and Chain Singh were ahead of him in the rankings list for the Olympics.

While Narang will be shooting in all three rifle disciplines (10m air rifle, 50m rifle prone, 50m 3 positions), Chain will be trying his luck in two (50m rifle prone, 50m 3 positions) events.

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) had sent feelers to Narang and Chain if they wanted to let go one of their spots. The selection committee did not get any response from either. Apart from Chenai, who was the front- runner, two more names were discussed during the selection meeting on Saturday.

While rifle shooter Elizabeth Koshy was found to be a raw talent, double trap shooter Mohammad Asab failed to find favour with the selectors due to his susceptibility in the final rounds. Chenai got the nod as he was the quota winner and “an investment for the future”.

Chenai bagged the quota during the Asia Olympic qualifying tournament here in January.

N RA I president Ran in der Singh said dropping Rajput was unfortunate but he was bound by the selection policy. “We had to follow the policy.” The rest of the quota winners were automatic choices as they were in the top two in the ranking list. The list includes Beijing Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, former world No 1 in pistol Heena Sidhu and multiple World Cup medallist Jitu Rai, who is one of the favourites to win a medal in Rio.

KYNAN CHENAI AND MANAVJIT SANDHU GET SHOOTING BODY NOD