PTI

Pune, Oct 16: Asher Noria not only shot a double trap gold for India at the Commonwealth Youth Games on Wednesday but in the process he bettered Athens silver medalist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore's score by one bird.

The 16-year-old, who picked up shooting four years ago under his father Gusti Jall Noria, a former national double trap specialist, shot a total of 180 en route to the gold.

His nearest rival Philip Smith ended eight birds behind. Expectations are already high from the youngster but Asher says, "I am not getting weighed down with the inevitable comparison with him (Rathore) but it will only inspire me to do better in near future."

This was Asher's second international gold after the gold in Singapore Open, a senior event, couple of moths ago.

"Both came at international level and are close to my heart," Asher says.

Asher's success story began last year in Cyprus when he had a sixth place finish in the World Championship in Cyprus.

The Hyderabadi says his meeting with the 2004 gold winner Ahmed bin Hasher Al Maktoum of UAE during the Asian Shooting Championship in Kuwait last year was "inspirational".

"It all began there. I gained confidence as my international career kick-started. Then my meeting with my idol Al Maktoum was something close to my heart," said Asher who also had a five months' stint under Ronjan Sodhi.

Asher however calls himself a trap shooter who excels in double trap.

"I am originally a trap shooter. But I started doing well in double trap so I took this up."