Bindra shoots bronze, Heena silver in Hannover

Heena Sidhu from Patiala, married to Ronak Pandit who coaches her, shot an impressive 388 in qualification and missed the gold by 0.3 point to Sandra Hornung of Germany.

Bindra had 626.1 in qualification, following a series of 104.7, 104.0, 105.6, 101.7, 104.5 and 105.6. Despite the dip in the fourth series, Bindra did well to shoot the third best total in qualification, while 629.8 was the best.

Former World and Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra missed the silver by 0.1 point in men’s air rifle in the International Shooting Competition of Hannover in Germany on Sunday. The 33-year-old Bindra, preparing for his fifth Olympics, shot 184.5 in taking the bronze behind Nicolas Schallenberger of Germany while Jan Lochbihler of Switzerland won the gold. Bindra had 626.1 in qualification, following a series of 104.7, 104.0, 105.6, 101.7, 104.5 and 105.6. Despite the dip in the fourth series, Bindra did well to shoot the third best total in qualification, while 629.8 was the best.

It was the second individual medal for the Indian Olympic aspirants after the silver won by world record holder Heena Sidhu in women’s air pistol. The Dentist from Patiala, married to Ronak Pandit who coaches her, shot an impressive 388 in qualification and missed the gold by 0.3 point to Sandra Hornung of Germany. Among others, Ayonika Paul did well to shoot the second best qualification score of 419.8 in women’s air rifle, even though she eventually placed sixth in the final.

Ayonika shot 105.2, 104.6, 104.3 and 105.7 in the qualification phase. Apurvi Chandela placed 11th with a total of 415.5. Both will be competing in the Rio Olympics. The Indian shooters will next compete in the World Cup in Munich from May 20.

The results:

Men: 10m air rifle: 1. Jan Lochbihler (Sui)206.2 (624.7); 2. Nicolas Schalllenberger (Ger) 204.5 (625.6); 3. Abhinav Bindra 184.5 (626.1); 18. Aniket Sunil Mane 619.5; 42. Gagandeep Singh Bhangu 605.6.

Women: 10m air rifle: 1. Elaheh Ahmadi (Iri) 207.9 (419.7); 2. Najmeh Khedmati (Iri) 206.7 (417.6); 3. Jolyn Beer (Ger)185.9 (421.3); 6. Ayonika Paul 122.6 (419.8); 11. Apurvi Chandela 415.5; 56. Aishwarya Gupta 407.6.

10m air pistol: 1. Sandra Hornung (Ger) 199.4 (382); 2. Heena Sidhu 199.1 (388); 3. Celine Goberville (Fra) 175.9 (379); 10. Annuraj Singh 374; 17. P. Shri Nivetha 372; 19. Anita Devi 370; 21. Shilpi BIsht 369; 32. Nethra Devi Murali 355; 33. Sheila Kanungo 352; 38. Ganga Priya Venugopal 334.