Manavjit, Mansher bow out

Indian shooters continued to draw a blank at the 2008 Olympics with Manavjit Singh Sandhu wilting under pressure and compatriot Mansher Singh too failing to make it to the finals of the men's trap event in Beijing on Sunday.

Tipped a medal prospect, Manavjit could manage only 116 out of 125 to finish 12th at the end of the five-round qualifying sessions spread over two days at the Beijing Shooting Range.

In comparison, Mansher did better, tallying 117 to finish eighth. Mansher in fact came close to qualifying for the finals but in the end, a place in the top six just proved elusive for him.

After his rounds of 23, 23, 24 on day one, Manavjit needed something special today to put himself back in contention for a top-six place but his final two rounds of 22 and 24 saw his hopes go up in smoke.

In contrast, Mansher was more consistent as he fired twin 24 but Saturday's 20 in the third round proved costly. But for that wretched round, Mansher could well have managed a place in the final.

A dejected Manavjit later admitted he has not been at the best of his form this year and here too, he could not conjure up anything special.

"Unlike 2006 and 2007, I have not been in great form this year. I know people had expectations but form and fortune do fluctuate. I think there was no point coming here as anything but a contender," he said.

"Anyway, I have to look ahead and all now I want is to focus on the 2010 Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games," said the marksman.

Coach Sunny Thomas, meanwhile, felt for Mansher and rued things would have been different but for the poor third round.

"He was clearly unlucky. He was consistent throughout but you can do little once he shot 20 in any of the round. He didn't score below 24 in other rounds but all came to zilch because of one bad round," he said.