Asian Shotgun championship: Kirti Gupta clinches gold

Kirti Gupta bagged gold in junior women’s trap, beating Lea Korban of Lebanon 34-32 in the final of the Asian shotgun championship here on Friday.

Taking the lead early in the competition, Kirti asserted her ability in fading light in the evening, much to the delight of the Indian camp.

Hong Xinru of China (103) and Marziyeh Parvaresh Nia of Iran (106) had scored better than Kirti in qualification. Kirti mustered 101 following a series of 20, 21, 20, 19, 21. But, she was too good in the final.

Pat from the coach

Shakun Bhugra, the coach with the team on emergency duty as Vikram Chopra could not make the trip, praised Kirti for her splendid performance.

“Our former coach Marcello Dradi of Italy, who is now coaching the Chinese, was quite impressed watching the way Kirti shot the final,” said Bhugra.

Ayesha Khan and Preeti Rajak shot identical scores of 93 and missed the final by one point.

Lea Korban had shot 94 in qualification, but climbed to the silver in the final.

The coach hoped for a good fare from the boys as Vishwa Kundu (70), Bhowneesh Mendiratta (69) and Vivaan Kapoor (66) were well placed after three rounds.

The top six will make the final after two more rounds on Saturday.

The results: Junior women’s trap: 1. Kirti Gupta 34 (101), 2. Lea Korban 32 (94); 3. Hong Xinru 23 (103); 7. Ayesha Khan 93; 8. Preeti Rajak 93.