Abhinav Deshwal won India’s 15th medal in shooting at the Deaflympics, clinching the gold in the 25m pistol event in Tokyo on Sunday with a record in qualification. He shot a score of 44 in the final to edge out South Korea’s Seoung Hwa Lee, who finished with a score of 43.
Sehri Fromin of Ukraine won the bronze, while the other Indian shooter, Chetan Hanmatt Spakl, finished in 5th place. Abhinav had started the final with five perfect hits, following it up with another four hits in the second series.
He was able to shoot 18 out of the next 20 shots, which included two series of perfect fives and two rounds of four hits. He then hit two perfect rounds and followed it up with a round of four hits.
In the 10th and final round, Abhinav hit three, his lowest round in the final, but it was enough for the shooter to win the gold medal. Earlier in qualification, Abhinav was able to equal the world deaf qualification record and the Deaflympics record with a score of 575-13X. Chetan qualified for the final in second place with a score of 573-21X.
What are Deaflympics
The Deaflympics, also called the Deaflympiad (earlier known as the World Games for the Deaf or International Games for the Deaf), are multi-sport events held regularly for deaf athletes. These games are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and allow deaf athletes to compete at a high level. Unlike other IOC events like the Olympics or Paralympics, athletes here cannot rely on sounds, such as starting pistols, whistles, or announcements. The games have been organized by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (CISS) since the first event in 1924.
