Sheikh Russell International: Elavenil bags gold, Shahu Mane wins silver

World number one Elavenil Valarivan won gold medal and Shahu Tushar Mane bagged a silver in the Sheikh Russel International Air Rifle Championship, held virtually on Sunday. The championship was organised by Bangladesh Shooting Sport Federation (BSSF).

With her gold, Elavenil won USD 1000 while Shahu Mane won USD 700 for his effort. In the 60-shot competition in which shooters from six nations participated, including hosts Bangladesh and India, Elavenil shot what is usually a modest 627.5 to emerge as the winner.

Shiori Hirata won the silver with 622.6, while Indonesian Vidya Toyyiba won bronze with 621.1.

Japan, however, won the gold in the men’s event as Naoya Okada shot a solid 630.9 to leave India’s Shahu behind. Shahu shot 623.8 to settle for second place while Baki Abdullah Hel won bronze for the hosts with an effort of 617.3. Korea and Bhutan were the other countries to participate in the competition.

Sheikh Russell’s birth anniversary commemorated

The championship was held to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and brother of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Elavenil who is a World Cup gold winner was selected as she was the one who was available to compete having opted out of the national camp owing to college examinations. As she was the best shooter available due to other shooters quarantining for the national camp.

The NRAI stated that Shahu Mane was selected on the basis of the ranking and his availability.

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