Samresh disappoints at World Cup

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) After shooting to glory at the Commonwealth Games Samresh Jung started his campaign in the ISSF World Cup in Guangzhou, China, on a disappointing note finishing 34th in 50 free Pistol event.

Jung had a qualifying series of 93,85,89,95,90,96, taking his total to 548, which put him out of contention for the final series.

Korean Oh jong Jin won the gold with a total of 662.6 (569+93.6).

Portugeese Joao Costa (568+94.6) had the same score but had to be satisfied with the silver because of a lower qualifying score.

Spaniard Isidro Lorenzo won the bronze with a total of 661.9 (567+94.9).

The Indian, who clinched five gold, two silver and one bronze in the Commonwealth Games, had finished 20th in the qualifying round yesterday after shooting a score of 557 with a series of 95,93,89,92,96,92. Compatriot Vivek Singh had finished 48th in the same event. He shot a score of 538 with a series of 6,89,91,87,90,85.

Meanwhile, the women were no better and could not repeat their success in Melbourne. Shooters from China and other non-Commonwealth nations dominated the 10m Air Rifle event as Indian women failed to secure any medal.

Tejaswini Sawant, Commonwealth games gold medalist in the 10m Air Rifle event, finished 10th with a score of 395. Avneet Kaur Sidhu, who lost the gold to Tejaswini in Melbourne was the next to follow with 393 at 16th.

Anjali Bhagwat, with a series of 100,99,96,99, finished six rungs below her at 19th.

Chinese Yinghui Zhao, who shot a score of 503.5 (399+104.5), won the gold. Compatriot Li Du, tied with Zhao after the qualifying series, grabbed the silver with 500.7 (399+101.7).

The bronze went to Batkhuyag Zorigt.

Earlier, Gagan Narang became the first Indian to qualify for next year's Olympics in Beijing after winning the gold in the 10m Air Rifle event here.

UNI PM DH RK1542