ISSF World Cup: Mehuli Ghosh, Manini Kaushi Disappointing In 50m Rifle Three Positions Event

The Indian contingent at the ongoing ISSF World Cup in Ningbo, China, had to endure another testing day as Mehuli Ghosh and Manini Kaushi finished their 50m rifle three positions event with abysmal showings.

Mehuli shot 583 in the qualification round to finish 23rd, while Manini ended up 45th with a score of 580 in a field of 66 shooters. The third Indian in the fray, Surabhi Bharadwaj, shot a forgettable 578 to finish 52nd.

Mehuli, who had secured a Paris Olympic quota place but missed out on the quadrennial showpiece after being beaten in the national trials last year, won a bronze in 10m air rifle at the 2023 Baku World Championship. She started well with a score of 98 in the kneeling position but stumbled in the next series, scoring 96 for an aggregate of 194.

She staged a remarkable recovery in the prone position, shooting 99 and 97 for an aggregate of 196. However, she faltered again in the standing position, firing 95.

A score of 98 in the next 10 shots did not improve her situation, and she could only aggregate 193 in the standing position.

Norway’s Jeanette Hegg Duestad shot 589 to top the qualification. Jeanette, who specialises in 300m rifle events, then clinched the gold with a score of 466.2.

Rikke Maeng Ibsen of Denmark took the silver with a score of 463.3, while Barbora Dubska of the Czech Republic claimed the bronze with 451.4.

Following another unsuccessful day, India have yet to open their account on the medals table. China, on the other hand, are leading with two gold, three silver, and one bronze. Norway are second with two gold medals, while South Korea are third with one gold, one silver, and one bronze.

In the 25m rapid fire event, India’s Bhavesh Shekhawat was placed fourth after Stage 1 of qualification with a tally of 293. Pradeep Singh Shekhawat was 24th with a score of 288, while Mandeep Singh was 43rd with a score of 272 in a field of 44 marksmen. Stage 2 of qualification will be held on Saturday.

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