Shooting World Cup: Neeraj Kumar finishes 25th

The Indian shot 573 in the men’s rapid fire pistol.

The gold was won by Christian Reitz of Germany.

Neeraj Kumar shot 573 to sit 25th in men’s rapid fire pistol in the shooting World Cup in Gabala, Azerbaijan, on Saturday.

It was a below par performance by the 23-year-old Neeraj who had made the final in the first World Cup at home this season and had placed sixth.

Neeraj, the only Indian entry in the event, was undone by scores of 92 and 89 in the tricky 4-second series. He had shot 290 in the first stage and 283 in the second, as he faltered in the 8-second and 6-second series as well.

The reigning Olympic champion, Christian Reitz of Germany clinched the gold by equalling the world record in the final, as he beat Clement Bessaguet of France 36-29.

Meanwhile, Olympians Sanjeev Rajput (623.5) and Gagan Narang (622.2) comfortably made it to the qualification phase from the elimination rounds in the rifle prone event.

The results:

Men: 25m rapid fire pistol: 1. Christian Reitz (Ger) 36 (EWR) 590; 2. Clement Bessaguet (Fra) 29 (587); 3. Riccardo Mazzetti (Ita) 25 (584); 25. Neeraj Kumar 573.