Gagan Narang shoots a bronze, Bindra crashes out

Gagan Narang won India its first medal – a bronze – in the 10-metre air rifle event at the London Olympics today, even as Beijing Games gold medallist Abhinav Bindra crashed out of the event.

Ace shooter Bindra, who made history winning the Olympics gold at Beijng four years ago, put up a dismal performance at the qualifying rounds, but Narang kept alive India's hopes by advancing to the medal round at the final.

Bindra finished 16th among 47 competitors at the mega event at the Royal Artillery Barracks.

Narang scored 598 out of 600 points against Bindra's Beijing record of 594 points out of 600.

However, Narang was a point behind top scorers Niccolo Campriani of Italy and Romania's Moldoveanu Alin George, who both shot 599 points each to stand first and second, respectively, in the qualifying round.

The 29-year-old shooter, Gagan Narang, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, has kept Pune as his shooting base. He was selected for the London Olympics over his bronze medal feat in the 2010 World Championship.

Narang, who had scored a perfect 600 out of 600 at the 2010 World Champioships, has been honoured with the Arjuna Award, the country's highest sporting awards as well as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratan Award.

Narang qualified for the final round of men's 10m air rifle with a score of 598 (100-100-98-100-100-100). Bindra, however, failed to qualify, with a score of 594. (99-99-100-100-99-97).