Gagan Narang, Jitu Rai and young Mehuli Ghosh failed to make the Indian shooting squad for the upcoming Asian Games, even as a few unheralded faces were picked for the quadrennial extravaganza, starting in Indonesia, from August 18.
India thus remained on top of the medals tally with eight medals, while China is in second with two gold, two silver, one bronze.
Manika Batra cruised to the semi-finals of the women's singles even as experienced paddler Mouma Das ended her campaign in the Commonwealth Games table tennis event.
Olympic silver-medallist shooter Vijay Kumar shone bright with a golden double even as half a dozen meet records sank without a trace in the swimming pool on the third day of competitions in the 35th National Games in Thiruvanathapuram on Tuesday.
Chinky Yadav upstaged the experienced Rahi Sarnobat and the fancied Manu Bhaker to win gold as India swept the women's 25m pistol event of the ISSF Shooting World Cup in New Delhi on Wednesday.
All of the 15 shooters are capable of winning medals, but few are seen as sure shot to secure podium finishes
Check out India's schedule on Day 8 of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, on Thursday.
Hitting the target with monotonous regularity, Indian shooters' dominance in a phenomenal 2019, at times, made world events look like domestic tourneys. Indian shooting's best show at the Olympics remains the two medals won at London in 2012, but if the shooters' exploits in recent months are anything to go by, the country can easily emulate or better that in Tokyo.
There was ecstasy and agony in equal measure for the Indian contingent on Friday.
Suma Shirur won bronze in the women's 10m air rifle event at the international Air Gun Competition.
Tokyo should remain the benchmark and source of inspiration till at least Paris 2024. In the shorter run, India's preparations for the Asian and Commonwealth Games next year must begin based on lessons learnt now, asserts Raj Kishore Mishra, former joint secretary at the sports ministry.
Jitu Rai struck gold twice with his pistol while Kerala's swimming sensation Sajan Prakash continued to shatter records and accumulate gold medals, adding a fifth to his tally, on the fifth day of competitions in the 35th National Games in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.
The proposals of six para-athletes, who are training in India and abroad ahead of the Asian Para Games that will take place between October 6 and 13 in Jakarta, were also cleared at the meeting.
The 26th edition of the Pune Festival kick-started on Friday evening with a host of celebrities from Bollywood and Maharashtra politics in attendance.
Check out the complete schedule of Indian athletes at the Tokyo Olympics
Check out the star arrivals.
