Sarnobat gold is historic first for India

Rahi Sarnobat became India’s first ever female shooting champion at the Asian Games yesterday after clinching gold in the 25 meter air pistol in Palembang.

Sarnobat overcame a tense shoot-off with Thailand’s Naphaswan Yangpaiboon after both athletes had set a new Asian Games record of 34 points.

Sarnobat, 27, was in top form but was up against a gritty Yangpaiboon, with the first shoot-off ending in a tie. But the Indian won the second shoot-off by a single shot. South Korea’s Kim Min-jung took bronze with a score of 29.

However India’s title favorite Manu Bhaker ended a disappointing sixth after scoring 16.

Sanorbat is coached by Mongolian-born Munkhbayar Dorjsuren, a two-time world champion and Olympic medallist who is a German citizen.

India have already bagged a gold in men’s shooting at Asia’s regional Olympics, which are being hosted by Indonesia. Sixteen-year-old Saurabh Chaudhary won the 10-meter air pistol competition on Tuesday.