World Cup shooting: Rai wins another silver, maiden medal for Ayonika

Continuing his good run of form, pistol shooter Jitu Rai clinched a silver medal in the ISSF World Cup in Maribor, Slovenia, after Ayonika Paul bagged her maiden international medal as a senior shooter by settling for a bronze in the 10m air rifle event.

In Monday’s finals of the 50-metre pistol event, Rai missed out on the gold medal by 0.1 point, having shot 193.1, after aggregating 568 in the qualification round.

The gold went to Serbia's Damir Mikec, who scored 568, while the bronze was won by Japan’s Tomoyuki Matsuda for an effort of 172.9.

The 27-year-old shooter from Lucknow had last week won a silver medal in the men's 10-metre air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Munich.

Rai is the top-ranked Indian shooter in the 10m air pistol and 50m free pistol. He had a good 2013, qualifying for the World Cup final twice, in Munich and Changwon (Korea) in the 50m free pistol event.

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Earlier in the day, the 21-year-old Ayonika finished third in the qualification round with a score of 417.3. She went on to score 185.3 in the final and clinch the bronze medal.

"This is my first ever World Cup medal and I am really happy. I must thank NRAI for their support. I also want to specially thank Olympic Gold Quest for their wonderful support to me. They have sent me quite a few times to Austria for training stints under world renowned coach Thomas Farnik which has really improved my technique," an elated Ayonika said.

"I also work with Olympic Gold Quest sports psychologist Vaibhav Agashe and sports medicine specialist Dr Nikhil Latey. They have both made a big difference to my confidence and fitness."

2012 Olympic champion Yi Siling of China won the gold medal with a total score of 209.6 points. Wu Liuxi took second place with 207.6 points.

Ayonika has been consistent this season. She finished sixth in the World Cup in US earlier this year.

Her consistency was rewarded with not just her first ever World Cup medal but also a place in the top 10 of the world rankings. Ayonika is currently ranked ninth in the world.