Asher Noria shot gold for the second time in a row in the double trap event at the International Junior World Shooting Cup at Suhl, Germany on Wednesday.
The feat was historic as no other shooter has won this championship in consecutive years. It was a very close encounter for the young Hyderabadi as he was tied at the score of 186 with Italian Chianese Alessandro at the end of the final round. But Asher held his nerve in the shoot-off to emerge the winner.
Earlier, in the first two rounds, the 17-year-old was on track for a world record score, shooting 50 and 48. But Asher failed to maintain the momentum in the following round and shot a lowly 42 to end at 140. He was tied with compatriot Shayan Masood while Alessandro led with 142 before the start of the final round.
Asher shot 46 and the Italian managed 44 in the final round to tie the scores at 186, which led to the shoot-off. In the team event, Asher along with Shayan and Ankur Mittal won bronze for India. “It’s a stupendous feat and I am very happy for him,” said Asher’s father Gusti Noria.
“Winning the championship back-to-back is a great achievement. Just a week before the event Asher had twisted his ankle very badly while practising. But still he went on and gave his best to make everyone proud,” added Gusti.
Asher was out of action for close to one year due to his final year board exam. He will now focus on the upcoming World Championship in Germany in July.