Mohd Asab capped a fruitful year by winning the gold in men's double trap at the 59th National Shooting Championships for shotgun disciplines here today.
Asab, who had earlier in the year won a bronze at Shotgun World Cup Finals in Nicosia, made light of a talented six-man finals field, to first top the semi-finals with a score of 29 out of 30 and then easily won the gold match-up at the JDA Shooting Range here.
He outgunned Haryana youngster Bhowneesh Mendiratta 27- 24 to bag the yellow metal.
Fellow India international Sangram Dahiya of Haryana won the bronze by getting the better of state-mate Ankur Mittal 27-25 in their match-up.
Another talented youngster Ahvar Rizwi made it two gold for Uttar Pradesh in men's double trap as he emulated his state senior Asab to win the junior national title in the event.
Both Ahvar and Bhowneesh of Haryana had made it to the senior and junior finals of the men's double trap.
In the junior event, Ahvar got the better of Bhowneesh once again in the gold medal match in a shoot-off after both finished with 27. Priyanshu Pandey of Madhya Pradesh won the bronze.
Haryana won the team gold in the senior section while UP bagged team gold in the junior section of the men's double trap.
(REOPENS DEL 11)
Prior to the blip at Rio de Janeiro, Indian shooters had been making their guns and pistols talk. The barren run in the Summer Games was a reality check and the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) promptly constituted a panel that conducted a thorough probe and recommended a slew of measures to overhaul the setup.
A total of 50 countries will be represented by 452 athletes, including reigning and former Olympic champions, world champions and continental champions, in the tournament that will conclude on March 4.
