Disha, Baki earn spots

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Abdullah Hel Baki and promising Syeda Atika Hasan Disha have been selected to represent hosts Bangladesh in the Sheikh Russel International Air Rifle Competition (Online) after finishing top among four shooters as the final of three selection competitions concluded at the Gulshan Shooting Complex yesterday.

The shooter will now have pre-tournament practice before the competition on Sunday. Baki outperformed Risalatul Islam in all three competitions, scoring an average of 623.2 to Risalatul's average of 620.2, to secure a place in the online competition for the first time.

On the same day, Baki is supposed to take part in another online competition, arranged by Indonesia. That will be staged in the morning before he takes part in the Sheikh Russel tournament at 2:00pm tomorrow.

Disha surprised by beating Umme Zakia Sultana Tumpa in the third competition after Tumpa had finished top in the first two competitions. In the third competition, Disha scored 615.8, 5.5 more than Tupma. That performance put Disha on top with an average of 614.7 to Tumpa's 613.7.

One male and one female shooter from seven countries -- Japan, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, South Korea, Indonesia and Bangladesh -- are scheduled to take part in the tournament, which is being held to mark the 56th birthday of Sheikh Russel.