After their commanding wins in the first trial and topping qualification for the next, Manu Bhaker and Anish Bhanwala seemed poised for a second consecutive victory at the Olympic shooting trials. However, mild upsets would unfold in New Delhi on Wednesday.
In the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol category, Bhavesh Shekhawat edged out Anish 34-29, claiming the win in the second trial. Quota winner Vijayveer Sidhu came in third with a score of 22 points, followed by Adarsh Singh and Ankur Goel in fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
In the women’s 25m pistol category, Simranpreet Kaur overcame Bhaker in a close race that went down to the wire. Simranpreet’s two extra hits in the final two rounds propelled her to a score of 37, two points ahead of Bhaker’s 35. Esha Singh placed third with 30 points, while quota winner Rhythm Sangwan finished fourth with 24 points.
This was the second of four trials – the next two taking place in Bhopal between May 10 and May 19 – that will determine the Indian shooting contingent for Paris 2024. The average of the top three scores will be considered, and the top two shooters will represent the country at the Olympics.
Bhaker and Anish, both world championship medallists and quota winners, remain the favorites to prevail from the trials and secure their place in the Paris 2024 squad. However, the depth of domestic competition was evident on Wednesday, preventing them from coasting through the trials despite having off days.
Bhavesh attributed his victory to four perfect rounds with scores of 5, giving him a three-point lead by the midway point. Despite his performance, he remained humble, acknowledging that none of the shooters delivered Olympic-worthy performances and emphasizing the need for improvement.
Anish, undeterred by the loss, stated that his focus is firmly set on Paris. He expressed confidence in his preparation and results and looked forward to the next trial in Bhopal.
Simranpreet’s victory was characterized by consistency, with five consecutive rounds of 4s. She showcased her growth after finishing fourth in the first trial, where she trailed Bhaker by 20 points. Bhaker, despite a slow start, managed to recover and kept pace until the final two rounds, where Simranpreet held her nerve and the more experienced Bhaker faltered.
Bhaker, Esha, and Rhythm will return this week to participate in the first two trials of the 10m air pistol category, while the others will look towards Bhopal for confirmation of their place in the Olympic team.
