Pune: Indian shooters with reputations to protect will stand shoulder to shoulder when the 55th National Shooting Championships for small bore rifle and pistol events are held at the Balewadi Shooting Range from Nov. 16 to 22.
Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang in men's 10m air rifle are just two of the elite shooters in contention.
Seven of the nine Indian shooters with quota places for the London Olympics will be among the participants, according to former India pistol shooter Ashok Pandit, the event's organising secretary.
“India's top shooters in rifle and pistol events are competing to assess their form. For others vying for places on the national team, the presence of World record holders, Olympians and internationals is motivation to raise their performance levels.”
Apart from Bindra and Narang, others include Tejaswini Sawant, Samaresh Jung, Anjali Bhagwat, Suma Shirur, Vijay Kumar, Sanjeev Rajput, Hariom Singh, Rahi Sarnobat, Annuraj Singh and Anisa Sayyed, to name a few.
Most of the top internationals are familiar with the venue.
Jung is ready to get cracking. “I am relaxed and just looking at performing. If my scores are good enough for the Asian championships, I will take things from there,” he said.
Winners of 13 open category events will get Rs. 25,000 each and eight competitors in air weapon for juniors and youth will be awarded Rs. 15,000. Other categories include civilians, handicapped, and veterans.
