NEW DELHI: India made an impressive start at the World University Games in Chengdu, China, on Saturday, securing four medals, with shooters leading the charge and clinching three gold medals.
Elavenil Valarivan, an Olympian shooter who had won silver in the 2019 edition in Italy, displayed remarkable improvement this year. She outshone her previous performance and claimed India's first gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle Women's event.
Her fellow shooter Manu Bhaker showcased her exceptional skills in the 10m Air Pistol Women's event and bagged the second gold medal of the day for India.
In a display of remarkable team coordination, Manu Bhaker, along with Yashaswini Singh Deswal and Abhidnya Ashok Patil, secured another gold medal for India in the 10m Air Pistol Team Women's event.
India also won a medal in judo for the first time in the tournament with Yamini Mourya claiming the bronze in Women's 57kg event.
India also assured themselves a third medal in archery after the compound mixed team of Aman Saini and Pragati advanced into the final. Overall, India are in the hunt for eight medals in archery.
The compound mixed team of Aman Saini and Pragati reached the final after edging out hosts China by just one-point (152-151) in the semi-final.
Now they will play against Korea for the gold medal.
India are now behind leaders Japan (four gold, three silver and one bronze), hosts China (4-2-2) and Korea (4-2-2) in the medal standings on day three of the meet.
In table tennis, the Indian women's team started their campaign by defeating third seed Germany 3-1.
(With PTI Inputs)