Manavjit, Imran book London tickets

Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Imran Hassan Khan grabbed an Olympic quota each on the final day of the Asian Shooting Championships on Saturday in Doha.

2006 world champion Manavjit shot an overall score of 139 to win the gold in the men\\\’s trap event and the ticket to London.

His gold medal made it a haul of 11 quotas for India, the highest number ever since quota places were introduced.

The conditions were challenging with winds of around 40kph, but I held my nerve. It was the last chance for me to qualify for London, so I gave it my all," said Sandhu.

Imran Hassan finished fifth in the men\\\’s 50m rifle 3-positions but it was good enough on the day for an Olympic slot.

Imran Hassan, who shot 1224.4, qualified as the shooters who finished above him had earlier already qualified for the mega event in July-August.

"I am happy that I won the quota, but happier that we won the team and individual gold, " Khan said.

India also won the team gold and silver in the 50m rifle 3-positions and trap event.

Sanjeev Rajput, who has already booked a ticket to London, won gold in the 50m rifle 3 positions. Gagan Narang, who has also qualified for the London Games, battled his way to bronze in the same event to bring more cheer to the Indians.

National coach Sunny Thomas was a relieved man after going through the entire competition without a quota till the final day.

The quota was eluding us like black magic. It was so windy today, the conditions were extremely difficult. People were shooting low scores in the final. No one could control the wind. We got three gold, a silver and a bronze and two quota places. I can\\\’t ask for more," he said.