Injured Narang pulls out

February 01, 2015 11:50 pm | Updated 11:50 pm IST - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

The shooting competitions of the National Games set to commence on Monday suffered a severe blow as top marksman Gagan Narang pulled out of the event citing an injury.

Though the shooter was not immediately available on phone for comments, the former National shooting coach Sunny Thomas said Gagan’s failure to turn up was due to a shoulder injury.

“He has been having this injury for sometime now but was supposed to take part in the competitions here. Now, from what I understand he is yet to recover fully and thus has been forced to pull out,” he said.

However, the six-day event does promise some exciting action as all the other top shooters have already arrived and undergone training at the new range at the Central Polytechnic. And almost all were unanimous in their opinion that the facilities were high class.

Impressive range

Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines, 2012 London Olympics silver-medallist Vijay Kumar said, “The range is quite impressive and I have a feeling that we could see some solid action through the next six days. I hope to be in my best form and would be able to win all the three events — rapid, centre-fire and standard pistol — that I am competing,” he said.

Rahi Sarnobat, the gold medal winner in 25m pistol at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, too sounded happy with the facilities and equipment.

“This is my range and I am going to make the most of the conditions here,” the 24-year-old said.

The immediate focus, however, would be on Jitu Rai, who will be seen in action on the opening day in the 50m pistol. And given the form that he has displayed through the last several months, Rai, who has already booked a berth in the next year’s Olympic Games in Rio-de-Janeiro, will definitely be the man to beat. The other final of the day will be the women’s 50m air rifle.

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