Sanjeev Rajput misses out on finals by a point at the World Cup

Sanjeev Rajput missed out on making it to the finals by a point as Indian shooters fell short of the last round on day one of the ISSF World Cup Final (Rifle/Pistol) in Putian, China, on Tuesday. Rising Czech star Filip Nepejchal and Briton Seonaid Mcintosh took day one honours, winning the Men’s and Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions (3P) gold medals respectively. Sanjeev, aiming for his third Olympics in Tokyo, shot 1153 to claim a ninth spot in a low-scoring qualification round. Polish shooter Tomasz Bartnik took the eighth and final qualification spot with an effort of 1154.

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Sanjeev would have made it through even if he had tied with Tomasz, given he had two more inner 10s than the Pole. Akhil Sheoran, the second Indian to have made the cut in this prestigious ISSF season-ending showpiece, finished further back on 13th with a score of 1147. In the Women’s 3P, India’s Anjum Moudgil also finished outside the top eight final qualifying spots, shooting a score of 1147 to finish in 13th position overall. The day two on Wednesday also has two finals on the schedule, the Women’s 25m Pistol, and the Men’s Rapid Fire Pistol. Rahi Sarnobat and Manu Bhaker will carry India's hopes in the women’s event while Anish Bhanwala has made the cut in the Men’s event.

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