Indian shooter Samaresh Jung smashed all hopes by finishing 42nd out of 48 competitors in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol qualification round on the opening day of the Beijing Olympic Games Saturday, August 9. Such a poor show was definitely not expected of Samaresh Jung, who won five gold medals in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

He shot only 570 out of 600 at the Beijing Olympic Shooting Range Hall. The topper was China’s Panf Wei who shot 586 out of 600 and easily propelled himself into the finals. However, there still remains the 50 metre pistol event in which Jung will participate.

World champion Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Mansher Singh had contrast fortunes in the men’s trap. During the third round of first day, the two of them appeared to be struggling to make it to the six-men final round. The other two qualifying rounds will be held on Sunday, August 10.

Manavjit made up some lost ground with a 24 in the final set, while Mansher squandered a great start with a 20 in the final set. Mansher had shot 25 and 24 in first two rounds, while Manavjit Singh had identical 23 in both first and second sets. Their Sunday’s performance will be important as it will decide whether or not they can progress to the final.