India win 4 team medals, move to top of the table at Changwon ISSF World Cup

India won one gold and three silver medals on day five of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Changwon, Korea on Thursday, to climb to the top of the medal tally at the half-way point.

The men's 10m air rifle team won gold, beating Korea 17-15 in a close final while the women's 10m air rifle team as well as the men's and women's 10m air pistol team won the silver medal.

The day began with the men's 10m air rifle team of Arjun Babuta, Shahu Tushar Mane and Paarth Makhija combined effectively to ward off the Korean challenge after being down 11-15 at one stage. It was Babuta and Mane's second gold in Changwon.

It was all silver after that as the women's rifle team of Elavenil Valarivan, Ramita and Mehuli Ghosh fought hard and were as close as 10-12 before the Koreans won the last two series of single shots to nail it 16-10 in their favour.

The Air Rifle Women's team comprising @elavalarivan @GhoshMehuli & Ramita win 🥈 to give India her 2nd medal of the day & 6th overall. They go down to Korea 10-16 in the decider. Congratulations! @WeAreTeamIndia @Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/aluxde1jWy

- NRAI (@OfficialNRAI) July 14, 2022

In pistol, the men's team of Shiva Narwal, Naveen and Sagar Dangi fought hard against Italy to be level 15-15 before the final series. Paolo Monna, Alessio Torracchi and Luca Tesconi proved too experienced for the new look Indian team to clinch the deal 17-15 in the end.

India's third silver of the day came as the women's pistol trio of Rhythm Sangwan, Yuvika Tomar and Palak, once again a new look team, first struggled 2-10 against a quality Korean side comprising Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Kim Minjung.

It was then that coach Samaresh Jung called for a time-out and it brought about an admirable fight back from India as they closed in at 12-14. However, the Koreans stamped their class in the final series and pulled it off 16-12 for their third gold of the tournament. . The Indian pairs in the trap mixed team competition however finished outside the medals.

India now has a total of three gold, four silver and one bronze medal from the Changwon World Cup stage so far and there are 15 more gold medals on offer over the next six days of competition. Korea lies second with an equal number of golds but only an additional silver to show for their efforts thus far.