International Shooting Sport Federation: Indian trap shooters Kynan Chenai and Aashima Ahlawat fought hard but missed reaching the finals of the men’s and women’s trap competitions by an identical one-point margin, at the year’s first International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Shotgun leg, currently underway in the Moroccan port city of Tangier.
Kynan shot 119 (24,24,24,24,23) while Aashima tallied 111 (22,22,21,22,24), as they bowed out in 13th and 14th spots, respectively.
Reigning Olympic champion Nathan Hales of Great Britain topped the 83-man qualification field, firing a 123 over two days and five rounds. London Olympic champion Jessica Rossi of Italy topped the women’s trap qualifiers with a 121.
The host nation’s Driss Haffari took the eighth and final qualification spot in the men’s trap with a score of 120, whereas Turkish shooter Rumeysa Pelin Kaya took that final berth in the women’s trap, shooting 112.
Among India’s other contenders in the men’s trap, Bhowneesh Mendiratta (23,24,25,20,23) shot rounds of 20 and 23 on the day, to give up his overnight (23,24,25) advantage of sixth spot, eventually finishing 39th in the pecking order. Olympian Prithviraj Tondaiman was further down in 57th with a score of 111 (24,21,20,23,23).
Kirti Gupta was the next best Indian among women, securing 32nd position with a score of 107 (20,22,23,21,21). Rajeshwari Kumari shot 106 (24,21,20,21,20) to garner 37th spot in the 59-strong field.
The Indian contingent shooting for ranking points only (RPO) saw Md. Asad Sultan shot 108 (22,22,22,20,22) and Sharan Susheel Gyanchand 104 (21,20,21,21,21) in the men’s trap, while Shreshtha Sisodia (19,21,23,20,21) and Preeti Rajak (20,20,22,18,23) shot 104 and 103 respectively, in the women’s event.
Kirti Gupta was the next best Indian among women, securing 32nd position with a score of 107 (20,22,23,21,21). Rajeshwari Kumari shot 106 (24,21,20,21,20) to garner 37th spot in the 59-strong field.
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The final day on Thursday has the Trap Mixed team event on schedule, with India still in search of a medal in this World Cup leg. The Indian teams are expected to do well in the mixed team event.