Bhopal: Star female shooter Manu Bhaker will lead a strong Indian field at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol beginning here Wednesday.
It is the first ever shooting World Cup stage to be held in India outside New Delhi and the men’s and women’s 10m air pistol finals are scheduled on the opening day.
Three Indians each will be in contention for medals in both events. While Sarabjot Singh, Varun Tomar and Sumit Raman will go first among the men, Rhythm Sangwan, Divya TS and Bhaker will be in contention among the women.
The event was officially inaugurated in a grand opening ceremony by Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, here at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre.
Among the dignitaries present was Luciano Rossi, President ISSF.
The men’s 10m air pistol event has a 24-strong field while the women have 19 vying for the coveted ISSF World Cup medal with both the reigning world champions Liu Jinyao (men) and Lu Kaiman of China in the fray.
PTI