Doha, Nov. 5 -- Fast-rising Jaypal Malviya secured India's first quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with a breakthrough silver medal in the men's 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Championships here on Thursday, even as heavyweights Manu Bhaker and Suruchi Inder Singh failed to make the podium in the women's competition.
Malviya shot 242.2 in the eight-man final to finish second and earn the coveted Olympic quota for India in shooting. China's Kai Hu won gold with 243.9, while Czechia's Jindrich Dubovy bagged bronze with 220.9.
The achievement provided a significant boost to India's campaign at the championships, which are the first major shooting competition offering quota places for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Earlier, Malviya had entered the final in third place after shooting 585 across six series in qualification.
The Indian had a mixed start to the final, shooting 9.2 on his second attempt of the opening five-shot series before recovering with a 10.6 on his final shot. He finished the first series with 50.5 points, occupying the third position behind leader Hu.
Malviya continued to remain in contention but slipped to fourth after completing his 10-shot series with a 10.8, taking his total to 100.0. Dubovy moved into third place with 100.5, while the Chinese duo of Hu and Yu Xie set the pace.
However, Malviya responded strongly with a 10.7, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. His fellow finalist Islam Shamsutdinov could not keep up with the pace and was eliminated.
Malviya then shot 10.7 as Hu managed 10.9, taking the Indian to second place and putting him just 0.5 points behind the Chinese shooter. The result also assured India its first shooting quota for the 2028 Olympics.
The Indian was subsequently assured of a medal, with just 0.1 points separating him from Hu, while Dubovy trailed by 1.8 points.
A 9.7 from Malviya threatened to derail his challenge, leaving him 0.9 points behind the leader. But he responded with a crucial 10.7, while Dubovy had to settle for bronze and an Olympic quota.
"The environment is great. The crowd was very loud and motivated me. I would like to thank the federation, SAI, OGQ and the MP and Indian government. I am grateful to Samaresh Jung sir. I feel great that I could bring the quota and medal to the country," Malviya said after his landmark medal.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.