Brazil: Dhanush Srikanth struck gold in the men’s 10m air rifle competition on day three of the ongoing 24th Deaflympics at Caxias do Sul, Brazil, ensuring a golden start to India’s campaign at the Games. Shourya Saini put the icing on India’s cake with a bronze, finishing behind Korea’s Kim Woo Rim in the eight-man final on Wednesday. Dhanush shot 247.5, a finals world record score, while Shourya finished third with 224.3.
Later the Indian badminton team also won gold beating Japan 3-1 in the final to make it a double celebration for the country. Dhanush and Shourya were second and third respectively in the qualifications. Hailing from Telangana, Dhanush trains at Gangan Naräng’s academy in Hyderabad. Under the guidance of the Olympic bronze medallist shooter, Dhanush produced a fine performance to win his career’s biggest prize at the Games.
Dhanush and Shourya, who were also helped by National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) coach Anuja Jung and Priti Sharma for the marquee sporting event, shot well throughout the day to emerge as deserving medal winners. Dhanush shot 623.3 in qualification to finish behind Kim, who shot 625.1 to top the field. Shourya was third with 622.7 ensuring two Indians made it to the final stage.
The Indian found his bearings when the single shots began after the 10th shot and slowly but surely made up lost ground to march ahead. India has sent 10 shooters in their 65-strong contingent for the Brazil Deaflympics. It is their largest and youngest-ever squad and will be participating in 11 sporting disciplines. In the previous 2017 edition, India had finished with one gold, one silver and three bronze medals.