Palembang: Rahi Sarnobat made history at the ongoing Asian Games in Indonesia as she became the first Indian woman shooter to win a gold medal at the continent's showpiece event.
The 25-year-old topped the 25m pistol final with an Asian Games record score of 34. She was involved in a shoot-off with Thailand's Naphaswan Yangpaiboon and won at the Jakabaring Shooting Range. Kim Minjung of Korea was third.
This is India’s second gold in shooting after teenager Saurabh Chaudhary won men’s 10m air pistol event yesterday.
Manu Bhaker, who topped 25m pistol qualification round and was the favourite to finish on the podium, disappointed with a score of 16 to finish sixth in the eight-player final.
Former shooter Abhinav Bindra, India’s first and only individual Olympic gold medallist, described the final as “one of the most exciting events” at Asian Games.
“That final was one of the most exciting events we will witness at the Asian games !!! Congratulations Rahi!,” Bindra tweeted.
So far India have won 11 medals in Indonesia with four gold, three silver and four bronze.