India lost a potential gold medal at the ISSF Junior Shooting World Championship in Lima, Peru, after 20-year-old pistol marksman Umesh Choudhary was penalised two points for arriving late to the preparation area before the 10m final. The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) imposed the penalty in line with Rule 6.17.1.3, which states that two points will be deducted if an athlete fails to report on time.
Missed opportunity due to rule violation
Choudhary’s first shot in the final earned him 7.4 points, following the deduction of two points for the infraction. The final score sheet noted the penalty, highlighting the significance of the violation. Despite finishing third in the qualification round with a score of 580, Choudhary’s penalty saw him drop to sixth place in the final, costing him a shot at the gold medal.
Coaching team under scrutiny
The penalty raised questions about the role of the coaches and support staff in ensuring athletes adhere to rules. However, Rajiv Bhatia, secretary of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), stated he had no knowledge of the incident and refused to comment further. He highlighted that athletes are also responsible for knowing the rules.
NRAI deflects responsibility
When questioned about whether the NRAI felt embarrassed by the incident, Bhatia acknowledged that similar penalties have happened before, citing a previous case involving Olympian Elavenil Valarivan in 2021. He stressed that both athletes and coaches share responsibility for following the regulations at major international events.
New NRAI leadership faces early challenge
This incident comes under the leadership of NRAI’s new president, Kalikesh Singh Deo, marking the first major international competition since he took office. Despite the setback, the NRAI is yet to provide clarity on the cause of Choudhary’s delay in reporting to the preparation area.
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