South Asian Games: Shooting stars rain gold as India reign supreme

ByArun S Kaimal, SportsCafe Editor

02/15/2016

India continued their dominance at the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) for the ninth consecutive day and secured four more gold medals – two in shooting, one apiece in triathlon and taekwondo - and a handful of bronze and silver to take their medal tally to 276 – the nation's best-ever haul in SAG.

At the end of day nine, India had 160 gold, 88 Silver and 28 bronze to stay atop the overall medal tally with 276 medals. Sri Lanka remained in second place with 167 medals, while Pakistan was third with 81 medals.

After upsetting the 2012 Olympics bronze medallist Gagan Narang in the men’s 10m air rifle and 50m rifle prone events, Chain Singh once again produced a stellar performance in the 50m rifle three position event on Sunday to add his third individual gold and sixth overall of the championship, leaving his much-fancied rival in the second place. Chain Singh scored 453.3 to win the gold in the final to beat Narang, who scored 450.3.The duo along with Surendra Singh Rathod also won the gold in the team event beating Sri Lanka. (Also Read: Apurvi Chandela - The Girl with the golden trigger)

India also added one more gold in the mixed relay event in triathlon and one in taekwondo.

1. Shooting – 2 gold

1. Chain Singh – Gold - Men’s 50m rifle three position

2. Men’s Team – Gold - Men’s 50m rifle three position

2. Triathlon – 1 gold

1. Mixed Relay – Gold – Triathlon

3. Taekwondo – 1 gold

1. Purva Dixit – Gold – Women’s 49kg

(Also Read: South Asian Games: India’s best-ever medal haul leaps to 268 as shooters sizzle)