World University Games 2023: Shooters Manu Bhaker, Elavenil Valarivan win gold; Judoka Yamini Mourya claims bronze medal

Indian shooters dominated the opening day of the competition.

The opening day of World University Games 2023 has turned out to be exceptional from India's point of view — winning four medals (three gold and one bronze). Also, by winning four medals, India has already levelled their tally from the previous edition. In 2019, India could muster only one gold medal, but have improved it to three this time, with much more to be expected in the upcoming days.

Youth Olympics 2018 gold medallist Manu Bhaker secured two gold medals - one each in individual and team event. She partnered alongside Yashaswini Deswal and Abhidnya Patil to win gold in the women's 10m Air Pistol team event ahead of heavyweights China who claimed the silver. In the individual 10m Air pistol, Bhaker surpassed Hungary’s Fabian Sara and Chinese Taipei's Yu-Ju Chen to clinch gold.

Her compatriot in 10m Air Rifle event Elavanil Valarivan secured India's third gold medal by scoring 252.5 points, pipping Tokyo Olympics 2020 silver medallist from the USA, Mary Tucker by 2.1 points. The 23-year-old Arjuna awardee had a good start to her career winning several medals in the junior circuit. Her transition to the senior was smooth and soon won the gold at World Championships in 2018.

However, she couldn't replicate her form at Tokyo Olympics performing below the expectations. A gold medal win ahead of Olympic medallist should boost Elavanil's confidence and she would look to make amends ahead for the national team.

Later in the day, Judoka Yamini Mourya claimed the bronze medal in the women's 57kg category. She defeated Marison Quon, Donne Breytenbach in the opening two rounds by Ippon but lost to South Korea's Mimi Huh in the semi-finals. Yamini came back strongly in the bronze-medal playoff match to defeat Oyunchimeg Oyungerel of Mongolia by Ippon and win bronze at World University Games 2023.