Date:08/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/08/stories/2006100807521600.htm

Sport - Shooting

Rathore wins bronze

NEW DELHI: Olympic silver medallist Lt. Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won a bronze in the World Cup shooting finals at Granada, Spain, on Saturday.

Rathore was tied for the second spot with two others with a total of 189 after the final, and lost the eventual shoot-off to Hu Binuyan of China 16-17.

It was an impressive fare from Rathore as he had a series of 48, 50 and 46 in the preliminary phase when he was tied at 144 with the eventual gold medallist Vitaly Fokeev of Russia and Mikko Makitalo of Finland, who finished fourth.

``I am very happy with the performance. It was a very high scoring and pretty intense competition when three went into the final with 144. Even for the second place we had a long shoot off,'' said Rathore.

Talking about the rare perfect 50 in the second round, Rathore said that such an effort tended to sap one's energy, leaving little for the rounds ahead.

``Had it been a 49, I would have been hungry for the following rounds. Maybe, one has to get used to it. Am glad that I am able to maintain a high standard, and there will be days when I would strike.'' said Rathore.

The results: Double trap: 1. Vitaly Fokeev (Rus) 191 (144); 2. Hu Binuyan (Chn) 189 (143) 17; 3. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore 189 (144) 16.