Tokyo Olympics: Elavenil Valarivan, World No.1, included in Indian shooting team, Chinki Yadav in reserve

World number one Elavenil Valarivan was among the 15-member Indian shooting squad for the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday at the expense of Kota winner Chinki Yadav, who claimed gold in the Delhi World Cup last month. To deal with the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) designated two reserves in each discipline, where its shooters have won a quota place for the Games.

The highly skilled Manu Bhakar will be fielded in the 25m pistol of both women along with veteran Rahi Sarnobat and Yashaswini Singh Deswal in their pet 10m air pistol event.

The NRAI selection committee gathered here to announce the names of 15 shooters representing the country at the Games to be held in the Japanese capital from 23 July to 8 August.

The shooters were selected based on their performance in the NRAI’s four-year Olympic qualifying cycle, beginning with the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games followed by the World Championships (both in 2018), all four World Cups and the Asian Championships in 2019 and Selection trial phase 1 and 2 earlier this year.

According to the NRAI’s stated policy, an average of five best scores in an international competition starting with the Jakarta Asiad was taken into account when choosing the final team.

It also means that Anjum Moudgil, who was the first Indian shooter along with Apoorvi Chandela to earn a quota for the Tokyo Games at the 2018 World Championships, will be fielded alongside Tejaswini Sawant in the women’s rifle 3 position event.

Chandela and Elavenil will compete in the women’s 10m air rifle event.

Promoted

Both Chinki and Anjum were kept in reserve in the 25m pistol and rifle 3 position events respectively.

The quota belongs to the country and not to the shooter who gets it.