Sodhi creates new national record, still finishes 5th

NEW DELHI: Ronjon Sodhi created a new national record in double trap but still finished fifth, while his illustrious compatriot Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore continued to grope for form as he came seventh in the ISSF Shooting World Cup in Kerrville, USA.
    
Sodhi shot an excellent score of 145/150 (49,48,48) to better Rathore's mark of 144/150, which was set in Bangkok in 2005.
    
Sodhi topped the qualifying event to storm into the final but just when he needed to raise his game, the Indian faltered and shot a lowly 38/50 to finish fifth.
    
Rathore shot 140 (47,47,46) and was tied for sixth place with two other shooters from USA and Russia. The Athens Olympic silver medalist eventually finished seventh after the tie shoot.
    
Among others, Vikram Bhatnagar was ranked 19th with a score of 130 (39,50,41) and in the MQS category, Mohd Asab shot 136/150 while Ajay Mittal managed 126/150, National Rifle Association of India secretary Rajiv Bhatia said in a statement here on Thursday.