#MeetTheMedalists: Who is Abhishek Verma?
As 16-year-old Saurabh Chaudhary scripted a record by clinching gold medal in men's 10m Air Pistol event, another Indian shooter, Abhishek Verma, grabbed the bronze. Abhishek Verma, who took to shooting three years back, had never played an international tournament prior to the Asian Games. But the 29-year-old stunned one and all with his performance. Here's all you need to know about Verma.
Abhishek Verma shot 219.3 to clinch the third prize behind Chaudhary and Japanese veteran ace Matsuda. This was Verma's first time on the big stage and he delivered, with calmness, to fend off any doubts. Interestingly, the 29-year-old is also a lawyer by profession. Today, he started well and saved his best for the last to clinch the prize.
The Shooting Stars of 🇮🇳 of Day 3 from #AsianGames2018 #IndiaAtAsianGames #SaurabhChaudhary #AbhishekVerma @asiangames2018 pic.twitter.com/xZ9ev8TMJn
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 21, 2018
Born in 1989 in Haryana, Abhishek was a hobby shooter for the most part of his life. He turned professional and in the maiden big stage itself, he delivered the goods. The 10m Air Pistol event is a competitive category and Verma beat many stalwarts to finish on the podium. He figured in India's top 10 only a year ago.
Verma had shot 585 in qualification round. He went on to win the gold medal during the Selection Trials on June 5. On course to the summit, Verma beat the likes of Deepak Sharma, Jitu Rai and Amanpreet Singh. He learned shooting in Gurgaon's Eklavya Sports Shooting Academy under coach Omendra Singh. He has studied law and also appeared for Civil Services.
Congratulations to India's Young Champ, 16-year-old #SaurabhChaudhary for clinching GOLD and truly Hardworking #AbhishekVerma, for winning Bronze in Men's 10m Air Pistol event.
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 21, 2018
The Nation is celebrating Your Victories with Pride !!!#AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/smXRVFaRXN
