London 2012 Olympic - India's First Medal

London 2012 Olympic - India's First Medal

Ace rifleman Gagan Narang put India into the medal bracket by shooting a bronze in his pet 10 meter air rifle event even as his illustrious compatriot and defending champion Abhinav Bindra misfired at the London Olympics here Monday (30/07/2012).

Narang, 29, participating in his third Games, had a total score of 701.1 (598 qualifying, 103.1 final) to finish third at the Royal Artillery Barracks range, triggering celebrations among the Indian diaspora here and the countrymen back home.

Narang, who missed the final round in Beijing Games on a countback, was in his elements. In the final round, he had a series of 10.7, 9.7, 10.6, 10.7, 10.4, 10.6, 9.9, 9.5, 10.3 and 10.7 to bring India's first medal give India its first medal from the London Games.

The gold went to Romanian Alin George Moldoveanu with a total score of 702.1 (599 qualifying, 103.1 final) and Italian Niccolo Campriani bagged the silver with 701.5 (599 qualifying, 102.5 final).

In the qualifying round, Narang shot perfect series of 100 in all the rounds except the third when he scored 98. He also shot 53 inner 10s.

Narang's success has added to India's less than impressive medal count - which now stands at 21 comprising nine golds, four silvers and eight bronzes - in Olympics history.