Pemba Tamang claims gold in Badge competition

Melbourne, Mar 13 (UNI) Pemba Tamang clinched a gold as India bagged three medals in the Badge Shooting Competition, a pre-Commonwealth Games event held here today.

Pemba Tamang won the rapid fire event with a score of 585/600.

While his compatriot Vijay Kumar won the silver with a score of 572.

The second silver and the third medal for India was earned by promising Harveen Srao in women's air pistol event with a score of 380/400.

However, in the three position women's event, Anjali Bhagwat finished fourth with 572 while Anuja Tere was placed fifth with 570.

Pemba Tamang who has been in good form put up a controlled display of shooting.

''The 585 score is very good and it can be a qualifying score after the World Championship final round,'' said Indian coach Sunny Thomas.

Talking to UNI, the coach said he was satisfied with his shooters performance.

''We have won three gold, six silvers and two bronze, so far in this competition and I think it is a reasonably good showing,'' he said.

The Badge competition provided the shooters with some practice and ''We are performing to a plan.'' ''It is not the time to peak,'' the coach said adding that the real test will start once the competition commences.

''I am fairly confident of a good showing by my shooters, they have been practising very hard but let me tell you, the field here is going to be very hard, especially the shooters from the host country. England, Canada and Scotland are also very tough customers,'' he warned.

''Yes I know that there are lot of hopes and expectations on the shooters back home and the shooters know that as well and they are working hard,'' the coach said but added, ''It is a tough competition, though we performed well in the last month's tournament which was held here but Commonwealth Games will be a different ball game.'' Thomas was hopeful of India retaining the 24 medals which they won in the Manchester Games.

''I think if shooters perform to their potential we may even increase our tally this time,'' he said.

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