PM Modi, Ashwin, Sehwag Applaud 15-Yr-Old Shardul Vihan’s Gold
Vihan had grabbed four gold medals at Shotgun Nationals Championship in 2017.
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15-year-old Shardul Vihan mesmerised the nation on Thursday, 23 August after clinching a silver in the men’s double trap event at the 18th Asian Games.
Vihan, in a closely fought match against his Korean counterpart, shot 73 to claim the silver medal, while 34-year-old Shin Hyun-woo bagged the gold medal with a score of 74.
Qatar's Al Marri Hamad Ali took the podium alongside, bagged bronze after shooting 53 at the Jakabaring shooting range.
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No sooner had Vihan set the record for being the youngest Asian Games medallist for India, than Tweeple burst forth in an outpouring of love and affection for the youngster.
Rajyavardhan Rathore, a double trap medallist himself, wrote, “His (Shardul) prowess convinces me that the future of Indian sports is in VERY safe hands!”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated the Meerut teenage and wished him well for the future.
‘The laurels from shooting continue to pour in. The talented Shardul Vihan wins the Silver in the Double Trap event. At the age of 15, Shardul has achieved historic successes and I am sure he will continue to excel in the coming years. Congratulations to him,’ wrote the PM.
Virender Sehwag and Abhinav Bindra also posted messages for Vihan, Sehwag even calling his feat ‘unbelievable’.
Vihan had burst into the sporting limelight after he grabbed four gold medals at Shotgun Nationals Championship in 2017.
Coached by former Asian Championship double gold medallist Anwer Sultan, he had finished a creditable sixth at the Junior World Championship in Moscow last year.
The shooter from Meerut took up the sport in 2014 and started competing a year later.
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