Jitu wins gold, Amanpret silver in ISSF World Cup

TIL Desk Sports/ Jitu Rai clinched the gold medal with yet another stirring comeback while compatriot Amanpreet Singh bagged the silver in men’s 50m pistol event as India secured its first yellow metal in the ongoing ISSF World Cup. Entering the event a day after claiming the 10m pistol bronze, Rai upped the ante as the final closed in on the elimination rounds.

The unassuming Army man shot a total of 230.1, a world record, to finish on top of the podium, while Amanpreet, who was leading for a major part of the final, had to be satisfied with the silver medal after aggregating 226.9. Iran’s Vahid Golkhandan took away the bronze with a score of 208.0 at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.

The 29-year-old Rai was placed sixth at the end of the first two competition series of five shots each with 93.8. At that point Amanpreet was leading the eight-man field with 98.9. The Punjabi shooter then extended his domination with a series of high scores, even as Rai tried to make his way back into contention.