Finally India got its Medal in Asian Games on its first day of it and medal is won by Apurvi Chandela, Ravi Kumar. Four years ago, they travelled to Incheon on the back of promising performances at the preceding Commonwealth Games in Glasgow — where Chandela won gold in the women’s 10m air rifle and Kumar finished just short of clinching bronze in the men’s event.
Months later, neither could live up to the expectations at their first Asiad. Kumar managed a bronze in the team event, but in the individual event, he crashed out a dismal 20th. Chandela’s results too weren’t flattering, finishing at the 12th position. On Sunday at the Jakabaring Shooting Range in Palembang, the two put their dismal show at Incheon behind, as they teamed up for the 10m air rifle mixed team event and won bronze — India’s first medal at the 2018 Asian Games.
True to the nature of the team event, they backed each other through intense phases. Like during the qualification stage, Chandela slowed down towards the end, but Kumar maintained the intensity to ensure they shot a decent 835.3 to finish behind only South Korea. In the final, Chandela shot impressive scores even as her partner dropped pace.
