Jitu Rai wins a silver in World Cup Final

World Championship silver medallist Jitu Rai overcame the disappointment of the Rio Olympics by winning the free pistol silver in the World Cup Final in Bologna, Italy, on Thursday.

Jitu Rai shot 188.8 in the final, to take the silver, 1.8 point behind Pang Wei of China.

World Championship silver medallist Jitu Rai overcame the disappointment of the Rio Olympics by winning the free pistol silver in the World Cup Final in Bologna, Italy, on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Jitu shot 188.8 in the final, to take the silver, 1.8 point behind Pang Wei of China. In fact, Jitu caught up very well after having trailed by more than six points at one stage. In the qualification phase, Jitu had shot an impressive series of 97, 94, 94, 95, 95 and 93 for a total of 568, the second best score, one point behind Oleh Omelchuk of Ukraine.

Jitu had failed to qualify for the free pistol final in the Rio Olympics, following a penultimate shot of ‘’7’’. He had made the air pistol final, but ended up eighth in the Olympics.

In his brilliant career so far, Jitu has won the free pistol gold in the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. He has also won two World Cup gold medals apart from three silvers and a bronze.

Sanjeev Rajput who had won the Olympic quota place but did not get to compete in the Olympics, will compete in the rifle 3-position event on Sunday.

The results:

50m free pistol: 1. Pang Wei (Chn) 190.6 (557); 2. Jitu Rai 188.8

(568); 3. Giuseppe Giordano (Ita) 170.3 (554).