Anjum Moudgil wins bronze, becomes world No. 1

Anjum Moudgil won a bronze medal on Sunday. However, the third position that came after a low phase is worth many gold medals, as the cherry on top was the world No. 1 ranking that came along.
Anjum, 28, took bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3 Position at the ongoing ISSF shooting World Cup in Changwon, South Korea.
Anjum shot 586 to qualify for the ranking round. In the ranking round, she scored 402.9 to finish third.This was the Chandigarh girl’s second medal after she had clinched silver in the same event at the Baku World Cup a few months ago.
The Indian team had a forgettable outing at the Tokyo Olympics and Anjum said the medal was special as it came after a rough patch. “Yes, this medal means a lot, especially when it has come with the No. 1 ranking. I am happy that after a long time, I am back on top,” Anjum told TOI from Changwon.
The former World No. 2 in the 10m air rifle event said the experience in Tokyo made her stronger. “I feel Tokyo was a good learning for us. It was one of the most important experiences of my life and whatever I am today, I think that experience really helped me,” she said.
“Post-Tokyo was a different patch. It took us time to get back to our normal training routines. Of course, the aftermath of the Olympics is strong, so it took us a bit of time to get back to performing well again. I feel my experience and the people around me helped me stay strong,” she said.
The tag of being No. 1 sometimes brings added pressure with it. However, Anjum feels the No. 1 ranking was something she wanted to achieve for a long time.
“This is my first time as No. 1, and it was on my to-do list for a long time. I am very happy that it has happened, and it is surely not a burden for me. It is a milestone that I have achieved, and I will be working hard to face other challenges,” she said.
The India men’s team comprising Chain Singh, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Sanjeev Rajput won silver in the 50m rifle 3 Position team event.
Rifle 50m coach Joydeep Karmakar said the medals are the result of shooting with a free mind. “Anjum is one of the most hardworking athletes. I am happy that she won her second medal this year. I feel the shooters are doing well because they are playing with a free mind. They were technically very strong in Tokyo but played with a lot of pressure and tension. Since I took charge, I have tried to make them free of the burden,” Karmakar said.