New Delhi. An Indian shooter was fined two points for arriving late to the practice area for the 10m air pistol final at the ongoing ISSF Junior Shooting Championships in Lima, Peru on Saturday, due to which he missed out on a medal.
The International Shooting Federation (ISSF) on Saturday fined 20-year-old shooter Umesh Chaudhary two points for violating rule 6.17.1.3. Due to this, questions are being raised on the role of the coaches and support staff included in India’s 60-member team. Choudhary got 7.4 points in the final after deducting two points on his first shot.
When National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) Secretary Rajeev Bhatia was asked about this, he said that he had no knowledge about this incident and he did not want to comment on this issue. Choudhary had finished third in the qualification round with a score of 580 and had he not been penalized two points, he could have won the gold medal in the eight shooter final. Due to penalty, Choudhary finished sixth in the medal round.
When Bhatia was reminded that the details of the fine were also available on the ISSF website, he said, “He may not have reached the practice area on time. I don’t know why and for what reason he did not arrive on time. I will have to check with the authorities there (in Peru).
When asked whether coaches should be more cautious, he said, “I will not say anything on this because we have not been told anything. I don’t want to discuss it.” He said, “It is not possible that this has happened for the first time.” Do you think only the coaches are responsible and the shooters have no responsibility? They should know about the rules. After all, he is participating in the World Championship.” The last time an Indian shooter was fined two points was during the ISSF World Cup in Osijek, Croatia in 2021. Then Olympian Elavenil Valarivan protested a shot, but the jury concluded it was fair.