India finish 2019 as number one shooting nation in world
New Delhi: On the back of its sparkling show through 2019, India finished the year as the top shooting nation in the world, leapfrogging Olympic heavyweights China and the USA.
In terms of overall medals, the tally stood at 21 gold, six silver and three bronze as India topped all the Rifle-Pistol World Cups and Finals in a unforgettable year.
A delighted National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Raninder Singh tweeted a screenshot of the International Shooting Sport Federation's (ISSF) overall rankings for 2019.
"Well done Team India," he wrote.
While India leads the standings with 30 medals overall, China is second with 11 gold, 15 silver and 18 bronze for a total of 44 podium finishes.
The USA is placed third with 15 medals (six gold six silver and three bronze).
The number of Olympic quotas, which now stands at a record 15, is not a only refection of the country's rapid rise in the sport over the last one year but also sets up the shooters nicely for a record haul at the Tokyo Games, after the meltdown at Rio de Janeiro.
Besides the shooters, the federation has also worked extensively towards bringing the sport to where it is today.
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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UDF to make comeback in Kerala after 10 years, edges out LDF: Exit Polls
Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is projected to return to power in Kerala after 10 years, ahead of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, according to different exit polls released on Wednesday evening.
Most surveys indicate a lead for the UDF over the LDF, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is expected to have limited presence in the Assembly with only a few seats projected.
According to Matrize, the UDF is likely to win between 70 and 75 seats, while the LDF is projected to secure 60 to 65 seats. The NDA is expected to get between 3 and 5 seats, as per the same survey.
People’s Pulse has projected a higher range for the UDF, estimating 75 to 85 seats, while the LDF is expected to get between 55 and 65 seats. The NDA is projected to win between 0 and 3 seats in this survey.
Axis My India has also forecast a clear lead for the UDF, projecting 78 to 90 seats for the alliance. The LDF is expected to win between 49 and 62 seats, while the NDA is again projected to remain within the 0 to 3 seat range.
Another projection by Vote Vibe estimates the UDF to win between 70 and 80 seats, while the LDF could secure 58 to 68 seats. Others are expected to get between 0 and 4 seats.
P-MARQ, in its survey for the 140-member Assembly, has predicted 72 to 79 seats for the UDF and 62 to 69 seats for the LDF, with around 3 seats going to others.
According to CNN-18, the UDF is projected to win between 70 and 80 seats, while the LDF may secure 58 to 68 seats. The NDA is expected to get between 0 and 4 seats.
NDTV has predicted 75 to 85 seats for the UDF and 55 to 65 seats for the LDF, while the NDA is expected to secure between 0 and 3 seats.
Meanwhile, today’s Chanakya has projected 72 to 80 seats for the UDF and 60 to 65 seats for the LDF, while the NDA is expected to get between 3 and 7 seats.
Kerala went to polls on April 9, and the counting of votes will take place on May 4.
