India's campaign at the ISSF World Championships suffered a setback as shooters Ashi Chouksey and Anjum Moudgil failed to secure spots in the finals of the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Disappointing Qualification Round Performance
Both Indian athletes struggled to find their rhythm during the qualification round held on Wednesday. Ashi Chouksey finished 36th in the standings with a total score of 581, while Anjum Moudgil placed 44th with 579 points in the highly competitive field.
The qualification round saw China's Zhang Qiongyue dominate with an impressive 594 points, securing the top position. Norwegian shooter Jeanette Hegg Duestad claimed the second spot with 593 points, followed by German athlete Anna Janssen who rounded out the top three with 592 points.
Olympic Quota Implications
The performance carries significant weight beyond the championship itself. The ongoing ISSF World Championship serves as a crucial qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with quota places up for grabs in various shooting disciplines.
Unfortunately for the Indian contingent, the failure to advance to the finals means missing an opportunity to secure Olympic quotas in this particular event. The pressure of Olympic qualification added an extra layer of intensity to the competition, with shooters from around the world vying for limited spots.
Looking Ahead for Indian Shooting
This setback comes as a disappointment for Indian shooting enthusiasts who had high expectations from both athletes. Anjum Moudgil, in particular, has been a consistent performer in international competitions and was expected to put up a stronger showing.
The Indian shooting team will now need to regroup and focus on upcoming events where they can still secure Olympic quotas. The World Championship continues to offer multiple opportunities across different shooting disciplines, and the Indian contingent will be eager to bounce back from this early disappointment.
With several events remaining in the championship, Indian shooters still have chances to redeem themselves and secure valuable qualification points for the Paris Olympics. The coaching staff and athletes will likely analyze this performance to identify areas for improvement before their next competitions.
