Jitu Rai Shoots Gold at World Cup in Bangkok

Jitu Rai beat a strong field at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup for Rifle and Pistol in Bangkok to win gold in the men's 50m Pistol event. Showing no sign of injury worries, Jitu beat China's former world and Olympic champion Pang Wei to the yellow metal. The Indian shot 191.3 to Wei's 186.5. (Jitu Rai Upset by Jai Singh for 50m Pistol Gold at National Shooting)

Wang Zhiwei, also of China and an Olympic bronze medalist finished third with a final round score of 165.8. India's Prakash Nanjappa shot 549 in the qualification round to finish 17th.

Jitu Rai reached the final by finishing third at the end of the 60-shot qualifying series with a score of 562. Wei led the field of eight top qualifiers with a score of 564, while Zhiwei followed him in second place scoring 563.

Former world champion Tomoyuki Matsuda of Japan was also going to be a threat in the final given his recent form in the Asian qualifiers in Delhi. Jitu did not start strongly in the final. However, he maintained a top-three position throughout.

Wei finally conceded the lead to Jitu after having below par 13th and 14th shots. The following two shots also saw a similar pattern for Wei and from then on, it was Jitu all the way as both the Chinese challengers had a tame end to the 20-shot final. Matsuda, after briefly lying in the top-three, was relegated to fifth place.

After having an incredible run of five consecutive ISSF medals including gold, in a period beginning 2014 to beginning of last year, a period where he also won an Asian Games Gold, there was a lull of sorts from Jitu. Indian shooting fans will hope that this gold will put him firmly on course for bigger challenges that lie ahead in an Olympic year.

Saturday will see the finals of the men's 50m Prone and 10m Air Pistol events. Jitu Rai will look to increase his medal tally in the pistol event while Gagan Narang and Chain Singh will lead India's charge in the Rifle event.