Brisbane: Fifteen-year-old Anish Bhanwala became India’s youngest ever gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, shooting a Games record score of 30 to claim the top prize in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event.
Anish entered the six-man final having topped the second stage of qualification with a total score of 580 and 22 central bulls.
The youngest in the field, he showed nerves of steel and led the more experienced shooters through the event to emerge a deserving champion.
Australia’s Sergei Evglevski claimed the silver with 28, while the bronze medal went to Sam Gowin (17) of England.
By winning the gold, Anish bettered teammate 16-year-old Manu Bhaker, who had become the youngest Indian Commonwealth Games gold medallist earlier this week when she emerged champion in the 10m air rifle finals.
Facing stiff competition from Australian shooter Evglevski, Anish held his nerve and kept his focus through eight rounds to emerge on top.
Anish started with two possible fives, racing to a three-point margin. He stumbled with a three and a one before scoring another five to lead by four points over Evglevski.
