Rai to train in Brazil ahead of Oly 2016

Ace pistol shooter Jitu Rai will train as well as compete in events at Rio de Janeiro this August in order to acclimatize himself and improve his medal hopes ahead of the 2016 Olympics to be held in the Brazillian city.

"I will be going to Rio around August 15-16, for a training-cum-competition. This will help me to get a feel of the Olympic range and the weather. The Olympics will be held around the same time next year so going in August makes the most sense," said the 50m pistol gold medal winner at last year's Commonwealth and Asian Games in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Rai, who has already earned a quota place in the Rio Games scheduled from August 5-21, 2016, is all set to take part in four World Cups as well as train overseas in the run-up to the Olympics.

Suspended boxer Sarita Devi, said she has recovered from the wrist injury sustained last year at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland where she won a silver medal in the 60kg category.

"I underwent a surgery at the Leelavati hospital (on November 14th) and have recovered now (with removal of the wire inserted on December 29).

"I will start to train now for the Rio Games and my entire focus is to win gold and prove myself," said Manipur-born Sarita who is serving a one-year ban imposed by world body AIBA for rejecting her bronze medal at the Incheon Asian Games medal ceremony last year.

Sarita, who had controversially lost to a Korean boxer in the semi finals of the Incheon Games, has the Asian Championship and the World Championship next year to qualify for Rio.