Equal shots for women from 2018

The women’s air pistol and air rifle events will have 60 shots henceforth in all ISSF competitions, according to a communication released from the ISSF headquarters in Munich on Monday.

In continuation of its drive towards gender equality for the Tokyo Olympics, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has decided to increase the number of shots in the women’s events to be on par with the men. (File Image)

In continuation of its drive towards gender equality for the Tokyo Olympics, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) has decided to increase the number of shots in the women’s events to be on par with the men, with immediate effect from the first competition in 2018, over the next three years.

Thus, the women’s air pistol and air rifle events will have 60 shots henceforth in all ISSF competitions, according to a communication released from the ISSF headquarters in Munich on Monday.

The 50-metre rifle 3-position event will see a jump from 60 shots to 120 shots. It will be 3x40 in the kneeling, prone and standing positions, like the men, instead of 3x20.

The men and women were having an equal number of 45 shots for the finals already, introduced during the last change.

In shotgun, the trap and skeet events will have 125 shots for women, instead of 75. Interestingly, all the junior women’s events will have the same pattern as that of women.

The sports pistol will continue to be over 60 shots, like the rapid-fire pistol for men, without any change. There is a catch as far as the qualification for the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is concerned.

The qualifying rounds for the youth air rifle and air pistol events for girls will continue to be over 40 shots. However, the scores achieved for MQS will be converted to their 60-shot equivalent.

The Youth Olympic Games will follow the 60-shot format for the youth women. Faced with the query about mounting pressure on the junior girls, the ISSF has argued that the shooters had already been shooting more in training than in competition.

It has also allowed national federations around the world to adopt the new rules "to specific needs of their junior programs’’ in the national level competitions.

After being given the equality of representation for the Tokyo Olympics, with a revamping of events, the women have been offered a stiff challenge to enjoy the equality of rights. It would almost be akin to women playing best of five sets in tennis.