Indian shooters, including the trio of Mehuli Ghosh, Ramita Jindal, and Ashi Chouksey, commenced their Asian Games 2023 journey on a high note. They secured the silver medal in the women’s team 10m air rifle event. Additionally, Ramita Jindal showcased her individual brilliance by winning the bronze in the same category. This impressive performance set a promising tone for India’s campaign at the Asian Games.
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Team Effort Yields Silver
In the team event, the combined score of 1,886.0 propelled the Indian trio to secure the second position. China, the host nation, displayed dominance by setting a new Asian record with a remarkable score of 1,896.6. Despite the Chinese team’s supremacy, the Indian women shooters demonstrated exceptional teamwork and skill.
Ramita’s Individual Glory
Junior world champion Ramita Jindal shone in the individual 10m air rifle event, clinching the bronze medal with a score of 230.1 in the eight-shooter finals. However, her journey was not without its challenges, as she briefly slipped out of contention due to a disappointing 9.9 score on the 13th shot. Despite this setback, Ramita’s perseverance and talent ultimately earned her a place on the podium.
China Dominates
China continued its dominance in the sport, securing both the gold and silver medals in the individual event. Huang Yuting achieved a Games record-breaking score of 252.7 to secure the gold, while Han Jiayu claimed the silver with 251.3 points.
Team Silver Lifts Morale
While India narrowly missed the gold to China in the team category, the collective effort of all three Indian women shooters was commendable. Ramita scored 631.9 in the qualification round, securing the second position. Mehuli Ghosh also performed admirably, finishing fourth with a score of 630.8. However, Ashi Chouksey, with a qualification round score of 623.3, finished 28th. Despite this, their combined score was enough to secure the silver medal, boosting the morale of the Indian contingent.
Qualification Round Excellence
During the qualification round, all three Indian shooters displayed exceptional skills. Ramita consistently scored well, garnering 631.9 points. Mehuli also secured her place in the individual final with a score of 630.8. In contrast, Ashi faced tough competition and finished 28th with a qualification score of 623.3.
Ramita Outshines
Despite Mehuli’s recent successes in international events, Ramita’s performance was the highlight of the individual event. Her journey from being crowned the world champion in the 10m air rifle junior event at the ISSF World Championship in Cairo last year to her triumph in Hangzhou showcased her remarkable talent. Ramita overcame a momentary lapse in concentration on the 13th shot and produced excellent scores, securing the bronze and outshining Mehuli, who was a strong contender for a medal.
Mehuli Ghosh’s Perspective
Mehuli expressed her satisfaction with the team’s silver medal in a highly competitive field, considering it prestigious. She mentioned that her experience at the Asian Games was a learning curve, adjusting to new aspects like waiting for buses. She also looked forward to the elite World Cup Final later in the year as part of her ongoing journey.
Room for Improvement
Despite her disappointment at finishing fourth in the individual event, Mehuli recognized the value of learning and gaining experience. She aimed to work on her finals performance, identifying areas for improvement to enhance her chances at the Paris Olympics.
Ramita’s Nerve-Wracking Experience at the Asian Games
Bronze medalist Ramita acknowledged the intensity of the competition, describing it as nerve-wracking. She emphasized the world-class level of the Asian Games and how closely contested the finals were. The competition featured shoot-offs and tight margins among the shooters, making it a valuable learning experience for her.
India’s women’s 10m air rifle team’s silver medal and Ramita Jindal’s individual bronze at the Asian Games 2023 marked a promising start to their campaign. Despite the challenges, the Indian shooters displayed skill, teamwork, and determination, setting the stage for more remarkable performances in the days to come.
