Just like archery, shooting also requires great stability, accuracy and skill to hit the target. Shooting as a sport has been a part of most of the Olympic Games right from the start apart from 1904 and 1928.
As a matter of fact, women did not play any role in this game until 1984. Now the women can vie for six medals at the Olympic Games out of 15 allotted for shooting events. The men fight for the rest of the nine medals.
The shooting events for men at Rio Olympics 2016 are classified as follows: 50m rifle three positions, 50m rifle prone, 10m air rifle, 50m pistol, 25m rapid fire pistol, 10m air pistol, and with the shotgun, trap, double trap and skeet.
And for the women: 50m rifle three positions, 10m air rifle, 25m pistol, 10m air pistol, trap and skeet.
Coming to the participants who will battle it out at the Summer Games in Rio, India have a pretty big contingent for shooting. They have 10 shooters this time and sports critics have been claiming that India can bring home at least six medals from Rio Olympics 2016.
Abhinav Bindra, who clinched the gold medal in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, will continue to remain the star of the contingent. However, Gagan Narang too is no less. He also was a bronze medallist from the London Games in 2012. India had clinched six medals from the last Olympic Games and they are expected to increase the tally this time in Rio.
Jitu Rai, who is the former world no. 1, is also poised to win medals in the 50 metres and 10 metres pistol events at the Rio Games. However, this will be Rai's first Olympic appearance and he would like to repeat what Bindra did in his Summer Games debut.
Among women, Heena Sidhu is one of the best pistol shooters in the world. She also holds the world record in the 10m air pistol event. Indian fans can definitely expect a medal from the woman with the golden hand and eye coordination.
Now moving on to the other countries' participants, who are contenders for medals as well, Korea's Jim Jong-oh is one of the most decorated shooters in the world. He has already won five medals in the previous Olympic Games, which includes three golds and two silver. He is currently the world no. 1 in 50 metres pistol shooting and he is also in the top five in 10 metres as well.
Matthew Emmons from USA is the world no.1 in 50m air rifle three positions and has won medals in the last three Olympic Games in Athens, Beijing and London. He missed out on a gold medal in the 2012 Games in London and this time he has put in a lot more hard work to change that silver into gold in Rio.
Wenjun Guo from China is chasing his third gold medal in a row in the 10m air pistol event at the Rio Olympics. She recently claimed the gold medal at the ISSF World cup in Bangkok as well.
Snjezana Pejcic from Croatia, Kim Rhode from USA, Vincent Hancock from USA and many other sharpshooters will be eyeing the elusive podium finishes at the Rio Olympics.
