Haryana’s Kanak wins India’s first gold at Junior Shooting World Cup
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Germany: Kanak, an emerging shooting talent from Haryana, delivered a standout performance to clinch India’s first gold medal at the ongoing International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany. She shot an impressive 239.0 in the 24-shot 10m air pistol final, edging out Moldova’s Anna Dulce, a two-time Olympian and reigning European Champion, by a margin of 1.7 points. Chen Yen-Ching of Chinese Taipei took bronze.
Kanak's win came after she qualified for the final in fourth place with a score of 572, just one point ahead of fellow Indian shooter Prachi, who entered the final in fifth with 571. Both displayed remarkable form in the qualification round, earning their places among the top eight in the junior women’s air pistol final.
Kanak, who had previously secured a silver medal at the Junior World Championships in Lima last year, relied on her big-match temperament to stay composed during the crucial closing stages of the final. Her performance was marked by a string of high-precision shots that distanced her from the rest of the field.
“I was a little bit nervous in the beginning, but I am happy that I was able to close out well,” Kanak said in a post-match interview.
Interestingly, it was Prachi who appeared more likely to reach the podium during the early stages of the final. She maintained a spot in the top three until the 15th shot, where a low 8.6 saw her drop dramatically, while Kanak surged ahead with a powerful 10.5.
From that point on, Kanak remained in control. She followed up with a consistent run of three high 10s, a 10.1, and three strong 9s (9.7, 9.8, 9.9), establishing a solid lead as her competitors struggled for accuracy. Though she ended the match with a modest 9.4 — a shot unlikely to please her coaches — it was more than enough to secure a dominant win.
Her triumph not only highlighted her individual calibre but also set the tone for India’s campaign at the ISSF Junior World Cup.
With IANS inputs
