Gagan Narang aims comeback in 10m team

PUNE: In 2010, he was the first Indian shooter to win a London Olympic quota place and two years later, he became the first to win a medal in London.
Rifle shooter Gagan Narang couldn't win the first quota this time. He missed it by a place in the Shooting World Championships in Granada, Spain, in September.
But, for London bronze medallist, Gagan, winning quota is important, than its sequence."I don't think it makes any difference psychologically, whether you win it first or last. For me, if you win it late, you don't have to stretch your peak form for a longer period, unlike last time, when I had to remain in my top form for almost two years. If I win a quota after three months, I will be able to retain my form better," Gagan said.
The Commonwealth Games multiple gold medallist, who will be participating in the men's 50m rifle prone qualifications on Tuesday, is also eying his comeback in the 10m air rifle team. He had missed out on a place in the 10m squad and subsequently couldn't participate in the air event at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in Glasgow and Incheon, respectively.
Since the 58th National championships will be one of the trial events, Gagan is eying to make his way into the 10m squad.
"Before the Commonwealth Games, I was unexpectedly out of form in 10m. But then I made up for 10m absence by winning prone bronze in Glasgow. Now, I am training for 10m. My back is better and at the same time, my prone and 3 position shooting has improved too," the 31-year-old said.
Jitu Rai in lead
After winning the 50m free pistol gold on Sunday, Army's Jitu Rai was leading the 10m air pistol qualifications with 579 points. Behind Rai was Railway's Vipin Rana with 577 points. Veteran CISF shooter Samaresh Jung was at the fifth position with 575 points, while London silver medallist in 25m rapidfire pistol, Vijay Kumar, is placed 13th with 572 points. 13th with 572 points.The last qualification detail will be shot on Tuesday morning, followed by the final.