Shapath began the competition on Friday with two perfect rounds of 25 before managing 21 in the third. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

SHOOTING

ISSF World Cup Shotgun: Shapath, Manisha end as best Indian shooters on opening day

Shapath Bharadwaj hit two perfect series and followed it up with 21 shots in the third series to end day one of the men’s trap event with a total of 71 hits from 75 in the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup Shotgun at the Asanov Shooting Club in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Manisha Keer with a score of 69 was the best Indian women.

Shapath started the day with two perfect rounds but only managed 21 in the third series, dropping him down the standings. Vivaan Kapoor also shot a perfect 25 in his second series, after starting with 22 hits and finishing the day with 23 shots in the third series. The third Indian in the competition, Ahvar Rizvi shot 23, 22 and 23 to finish day one on a score of 68.

Udaivir Singh Jaijee and Ali Aman Elahi, competiting for ranking points scored 71 and 66, respectively.

In the women’s event, Manisha also started the day with two consecutive series of 24 each before finishing the day with a total score 69 after hitting 21 targets in the third series. She is currently in 17th position. National champion Neeru Dhanda hit 23, 23 and 22 to finish the day in 21st place with a score of 68. Pragati Dubey, the third Indian shot 65 (18, 23, 24) to be placed in 35th place.

Competing for ranking points Varsha Varman (20, 20, 21) shot a score of 61 while Vidhi Singh (18, 21, 23) hit 62 targets.

The final 50 targets and the finals of both men’s and women’s events will be held tomorrow.

-Team Sportstar

GOLF

Golfer Sandhu leading Indian after solid opening round in Barcelona

Yuvraj Sandhu was the leading Indian after the opening round, as he shot 4-under 68 to be placed T-16 at the Estrella Damn Catalunya Championship golf tournament in Barcelona.

He was four shots behind first round leader Shaun Norris (64) at the Real Club de Golf El Prat.

The two other Indians in the field are Shubhankar Sharma (71) and Veer Ahlawat (75), who had a tough time. Sharma, with 71, was T-70 on the leaderboard while Ahlawat, who got a late berth this week, carded 3-over 75 in his first round and is placed T-136.

Sandhu began his opening round on the back nine and made birdies on the 12th and 15th holes before making his only bogey of the round on the 17th hole. On the front nine Sandhu made three more birdies to finish 4-under.

Sharma and Ahlawat started their first round on the front nine. Sharma made three birdies and two bogeys in his 71.

Ahlawat opened his round with two consecutive birdies before dropping a shot on the fifth hole. On the back nine he dropped another four strokes in a matter of four holes two bogeys and a double bogey.

Norris, who leads the field after the first round, began his round on the back nine and had seven birdies, one bogey and one eagle in his opening round of 8-under par. His closest rivals were Alexander Levy, Ewen Fergusson and David Law at 7-under.

-PTI

Published on May 08, 2026