Asian Games: Naruka, Khan, Gill Win Men’s Skeet Team Bronze in Tense Shoot-Off; Naruka Misses Individual Medal

Nagoya, Sep 23: India's men's skeet team of Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Mairaj Ahmed Khan and Bhavtegh Singh Gill clinched the bronze medal at the Asian Games after prevailing over Kazakhstan in a tense shoot-off.

India and Kazakhstan finished level on 346 points in qualification, forcing a shoot-off to determine the bronze medal. The Indian trio held their nerve under pressure to emerge victorious and secure a place on the podium.

Naruka led India's qualification effort with an impressive 119 out of a possible 125 points. Mairaj Ahmed Khan contributed 116, while Bhavtegh Singh Gill added 111 to the team's combined tally.

The bronze marked India's second shooting medal of the day, following the women's skeet team's bronze earlier in the session. The result further added to India's strong showing in shooting at the Games.

Naruka then carried his qualification form into the men's skeet individual final, where he came agonisingly close to securing another medal.

Qatar's Al-Athba claimed the gold medal with an Asian Record score of 34. China's Lyu Jianlin finished second with 33 points to take silver, while Chinese Taipei's Lee secured bronze with 29.

Naruka finished fourth with 25/28, missing out on the podium by just one point.

The fourth-place finish brought a frustrating end to what had otherwise been a standout day for Naruka, who had played a key role in India's team bronze.

For Mairaj and Bhavtegh, the team medal provided a strong reward for their efforts in qualification and helped India add another shooting medal to its growing tally.

The Indian skeet shooters had to withstand the added pressure of a shoot-off after Kazakhstan matched their qualification score. Their successful effort ensured India walked away with bronze and extended the country's medal haul in shooting at the Asian Games.

With Naruka also making the individual final, India remained in contention for another podium finish in the event before ultimately settling for fourth place.