Manavjit shoots Gold, India win all 4 trap medals in Asian Clay

Singapore, Sep 4 (UNI) Ace marksman Manavjit Singh Sandhu lived up to the expectations and shot the Men's Trap Gold, while India swept all four medals up for grabs besides creating a new team event record in the ongoing Asian Clay Shooting Championships here today.

World Champion Manavjit was bang on target and he shot a score of 141 (120+21) with a series of 23,24,25,23 and 25 in the qualifications to finish on top.

Team mate and Olympian Mansher Singh earned the Silver with a score of 140 (120+20) with a series of 23,23,25,25,24 while the Bronze went to fellow Indian Anwer Sultan whose aggregate of 138 (119+119) included a series of 24,25,24,23,23.

Earlier, defending champion India won the team event Gold with a new Asian clay record.

Manavjit (120), Mansher (120) and Anwer (119) joined hands to win the Gold with a score of 359 out of 375.

The Silver went to China (344) while Chinese Taipei (338) won the Bronze.

In the MQS section, Birendeep Sodhi had shot a score of 112 (22,24,21,24,21) while Zoravar Singh Sandhu shot 103 (20,19,22,21,21).

Elated with his show in the meet, a beeming Manavjit later said, ''I am thrilled to win the individual Gold and I am confident if I can continue like this, people are going to take notice and I can get the right corporate support as well.'' Analysing his performance here, Manavjit said, ''In terms of scores, it was not the best perhaps. What was important was to win the Gold for myself after the team effort. Shooting has become high profile and we have again proved we are progressing well.'' Mansher was also satisfied with his show.

''I am happy with my own performance. I made a good recovery after trailing yesterday. I am on the right track for the Asian Games and we can do well in the team event as well,'' said the veteran marksman.

Baljit Sethi, secretary general of the National Rifle Association of India said, ''Our trap marksmen have done the nation proud. This performance is going to boost their confidence and we will be able to win medals at the Asian Games as well.'' Results: Individual: Gold: Manavjit Singh Sandhu 141 (120+21) Silver: Mansher Singh 140 (120+20) Bronze: Anwer Sultan 138 (119+19).

Team: Gold: India (359/375) Silver: China 340 Bronze: Chinese Taipei 338.

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