Indian sports wrap, October 3: Khushi’s bronze takes India’s tally to 15 at ISSF Jr Worlds; Vanshik, Isha bag gold at Pickleball Worlds

Here are all the major updates, scores, and results of Indians in the world of sports on October 3.

India’s tally is up to 15, including 10 gold, one silver, and four bronze medals, keeping the country at the top of the standings. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE) | Photo Credit: Getty Images

SHOOTING

Khushi secured a hard-fought bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Lima, dramatically qualifying for the final before rallying to claim the third spot.

Her medal on Wednesday took India’s tally to 15, including 10 gold, one silver, and four bronze medals, keeping the country at the top of the standings.

The youngster shot 447.3 in the final to finish behind Caroline Lund of Norway who won silver with 458.3. Caroline’s compatriot Synnoeve Berg won gold with 458.4.

However, Khushi’s path to the podium was far from easy. She narrowly made it to the medal round, rallying brilliantly in the final standing position in qualifying to clinch the seventh spot with a score of 585.

It got so tight that there were four others on the same score. However, Khushi and Italian Anna Schiavon clinched the final two qualifying spots, scoring 29 inner-10 shots, while two Swiss athletes -- Alexa Tela and Emely Jaeggi -- managed 27.

Khushi finished ahead of Anna on countback.

In the eight-woman final, Khushi was fourth at the end of the first two positions -- Kneeling and Prone.

A strong finish in the Standing position allowed her to pip Norwegian Pernille Nor-Woll after the 40th shot to move up to third.

Synnoeve and Caroline were having their own battle for top-two throughout the 45-shot final.

Khushi wobbled again on the 41st shot with 9.1 which put her back down to fifth, but a brilliant 10.7 in the 42nd and 10.4 in 43rd ensured the bronze.

In the team competition in junior women’s 3P, the trio of Sakshi Padekar, Melvina Joel Gladson and Prachi Gaekwad, finished fifth with a tally of 1757.

Anoushka Thakur also shot 585 in qualification, but 26 hits in the inner-10 ring meant she ended 11th.

Sakshi, Melvina and Prachi finished 24th, 32nd and 41st respectively.

- PTI

GOLF

Krishnav Chopraa at tied 12th at AAC golf

Krishnav Nikhil Chopraa, son of former India cricketer Nikhil Chopra, played a steady opening round of 2-under 68 to be placed at a creditable tied 12th on a day of unpredictable winds at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships here.

It was Chopraa’s best round at the AAC and he now lies three shots behind the leader, Randy Bintang of Indonesia (65).

Among other Indians, Vedant Sirohi (69) was tied 16th and Kartik Singh had a roller-coaster 71 with a bogey-bogey finish to be tied 31st. Debutant Rakshit Dahiya had a rough day with 75 and was tied 69th.

Bintang, a 10th tee starter, was 5-under with six birdies and one bogey and played two groups behind Chopraa.

Hong Kong’s Wang Ngai Shen shot 4-under 66 and shared the second place with two Japanese golfers Rintaro Nakano and debutant Taishi Moto.

Nakano’s 66 included an eagle and two birdies and no bogeys.

The 19-year-old Chopraa, who plays college golf at Long Island, US, had four birdies against two bogeys in tough-to-read-wind at the tree-lined tight course.

“I played my first nine, the back stretch of the course, well, but didn’t hit it well for my second half,” said Chopraa.

“I didn’t have a great start. On my first hole, the 10th, it was confusing. I hit a 4-Iron and a 6-Iron, and I just about got away with a par.

“On Par-5 11th, I bogeyed. Then after that I played well. I got birdies on 12th and almost holed my second shot on the 16th (his seventh),” he said.

On his back nine, his hitting was good and holed a few good putts, too.

He had two good birdies on the third and the sixth, his 12th and the 15th and made some good pars.

Sirohi, who plays college golf at the Webber International University, had a great start with birdies on the third and the sixth as his approach shots were inside five feet and two feet.

He bogeyed the ninth but hit a superb shot with Gap Wedge on the Par-4 14th to four feet for a birdie.

On the 15th, he was in serious trouble and instead of trying any heroics he gave away a shot and finished at 1-under.

The 14-year-old Kartik, who last year became the youngest ever to make the cut at the AAC, finished bogey-bogey after a fine rally from an early double bogey.

Kartik admitted that he went into the bunkers too often. “Maybe I have had my share of bunkers for the week today,” he said.

He had an early double bogey on his second hole, the 11th of the course as he missed the fairway and found a bunker, too.

The tenacious teen fought back brilliantly with birdies on the 16th and the 18th to make the turn in even par.

“I was playing fine and then came bogeys on the eighth and the ninth, my last two holes. Bunkers cost me heavily,” said Kartik.

“It is not an easy course but I hope to fight back tomorrow,” he added.

PICKLEBALL

World Pickleball Championship: Vanshik, Isha bag gold at Bali leg

Vanshik secured the men’s singles gold in the World Pickleball Championship as India ended the Bali leg of the global event on a bright note, bagging two gold and as many silver medals.

After winning singles, Vanshik teamed up with Isha Lakhani to grab the doubles gold in the 35+ doubles section.

Vasnshik later helped Tejas to bag a silver in the men’s doubles category, and then he joined forces with Vrushali to clinch another silver in the mixed doubles for India.

Gold medallists Isha and Vanshik said: “Winning the gold medal at such a prestigious event is a dream come true.”

Arvind Prabhoo, president, All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) said: “Their hard work, skill, and determination have not only earned them these prestigious medals but have also placed India firmly on the global pickleball map.”

- PTI

EQUESTRIAN

Miraya Dadabhoy wins Gold at the Equestrian Premier League 2024

Miraya Dadabhoy in action at Equestrian Premier League 2024. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Miraya Dadabhoy and her horse Fürstentanz from Germany showcase a performance at the highest level in Dressage, winning gold in the Juniors Category as well as the Open Category (C2).

Earlier in the month, 15 year old equistrian won silver at Concourse De Dressage Nationals, conducted by Equistrian Federation of India at Surge Stables, Bangalore.

Over the last 1.5 years Miraya and her horse have developed a special bond with each other which is essential to perform smooth movements with grace and energy.

The 15 year old equestrian athlete has a solid track record including several National Gold medals. She was one of the equestrian rider’s who were recognized by the Tamil Nadu Sports Ministry for their outstanding performance in this Olympic Discipline of Dressage.

Amongst the National Level Riders, Miraya as well as Samanna Everaa and Tasha Neethirajan are gearing up to compete at the Trials for the ASIAN Continental Championships in December in New Delhi.

“Horse riding is a special sport which requires mental focus, a great amount of balance and a solid partnership between horse and rider” says Isabelle Futnani, the horse riding coach at Chennai Equitation Centre

- Team Sportstar