New Delhi, Feb 12: India's hopes of securing another berth in shooting at the 2004 Athens Olympics were dashed when Commonwealth Games double gold medallist Samresh Jung finished a poor 17th in the 10m air pistol at the 10th Asian Shooting Championships in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Jung shot 573 out of a Maxium of 600. Vivek Singh recorded the best Indian performance in this category accumulating 576 points, while another Commonwealth games medallist Jaspal Rana finished a distant 24th with 570, according to information received here.
After having one a gold and bronze on the opening day, the second day yesterday turned out to be a disappointing one for the Indians.
India with an overall score of 1718 finished sixth in the team event. China took the top honours with 1740, while Kazakhastan and Korea came a close second and third, respectively.
India would now be hoping that the three marksmen -- T C Palangappa, Satguru Das and Sushil Gale -- who progressed to the 50m rifle prone qualifying, would put up a fine effort.
Meanwhile, Jung will get a five-day rest before taking on a tough field in the 25m standard pistol event. The event to be held on February 17 will be his last opportunity to secure a berth in the 2004 Olympics.
Yesterday, Ronak Pandit had won the gold in the Rapid Fire Pistol Junior Event with a score of 562/600, while the Indian women's team comprising of Anisa Syyed, Shweta Chaudhary and Sushma Rana won the bronze in the air pistol team event. Bureau Report