Asif Hossain Khan made a triumphant return to competitive shooting when he led Bangladesh from the front to win the men's 10m air rifle team event gold of the 11th South Asian Games at the National Shooting Range in Gulshan yesterday.
And it could have been a delightful double for the ace shooter hot on the heels of Sharmin Akhter Ratna's poem of a success in the women's 10m air rifle on Tuesday had he not lost his concentration completely while firing his penultimate shot.
Asif's penultimate shot in the shoot-off fetched him a career low 6.8 points that also cost him and the country a gold in the individual event. As a result, he had to be content with the silver, but his spectacular return after a career-threatening brutal beating by police in 2006 at this very place reminded everybody that class is permanent.
After the heroics of the woman shooters the previous day, when Bangladesh won both the team event and individual gold, the spotlight was on the celebrated shooter, Asif, and he delighted everybody on way to winning the team event gold in company with two young prospects -- Abdulla-Hel-Baki and Shovon Chowdhury.
However one dramatic fall out in the ninth shot of the exciting shoot-off saw India's Imran Hasan Khan turned the table on him to clinch the individual gold. Despite the late slip Asif was understandably happy because it gave him a new lease of life after that shameful incident that almost threw the Commonwealth Games gold medalist into oblivion.
"At first my apologises to my countrymen because I deprived them from a sure gold. For a fraction of a second I lost my concentration and it cost me dearly. But I am still happy with today's outcome because it's like I make a new start in my career," said a delighted Asif, who had been struggling to regain his form over the last two years. Asif even had to fight hard in trials to get the ticket as the last shooter to participate in the biggest regional sporting extravaganza.
"It's special because I scored my best in the team event," said Asif, who scored highest 596 that was better from his previous 594 he hit in the Commonwealth Games.
With Asif hitting the form of his life Bangladesh scored an impressive 1,775 with Baki scoring 591 and Shovon making 588.
India were eleven points behind in grand total to secure the silver as individual gold medalist Imran scored 594 while Satyender Singh amassed 588 and Dhirender Singh Jamwal 582.
After confirmation of the team gold, everybody was looking for another double in the event with Asif starting the shoot-off with two points advantage. All were on their feet as the event progressed with Asif maintaining his lead despite Imran's consistent shooting, but everyone was in a state of shock when he fired a pathetic 6.8 and ultimately finished with 694.4 against Imran's 697.3.
Shovon improved his performance from the team event to bag the bronze with 690.3.
Asif's mother Rehana Hossain Khan, who is the guide and philosopher of her son, was delighted after the way his son made a bright comeback in the international event.
"I got back my son today," said an emotion-choked Rehana, who has worked hard during the turbulent times of her talented son.
Baki and Shovon also expressed their satisfaction over the outcome.
"It was great to see Asif bhai scoring his best. It is my first international event so I am really happy with today's success," said Baki.
"Although I am happy, I want to do something for my country in a big stage like Olympics," said Shovon, who turned into a right-hander from natural left-hander two years ago.
In the other shooting events, India dominated the proceedings as they clinched the gold in the 50m rifle prone team and individual events as well as gold in the 25m pistol individual and team events.
Bangladeshi shooters bagged two bronze medals in the above two team events.
Source: thedailystar.net
