Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore fails to qualify in double trap finals

NEW DELHI: Athens silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore failed to qualify for the finals of men's double trap event at the Beijing Olympics.

Rathore shot a dismal score of 43 and 45 in the first two rounds which had put much pressure on him. Rathore could only manage 43 in the deciding round. He shot a total of 131 that denied him place in the finals.

Gunning for an encore of his Athens feat, ace marksman Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said prior to the start of the mega event that he has left no stone unturned in his preparation and ready for any outcome.

Olympic silver medallist Lt. Colonel Rathore sealed the Beijing berth by winning a gold medal in the men's double trap event at the 2006 ISSF World Cup at Cairo.

Rathore also claimed gold in the individual and team events in men's double trap at the Bangkok Asian Clay Shooting championships in 2005.

He was also the member of the winning team that won a double trap team gold in 2005 Commonwealth Shooting Championships.

Rathore was bestowed with the honour of carrying the Indian tricolour in the opening ceremony and the double trap shooter said that he could not have asked for a better honour.