Melbourne: India's top pistol shooter Samresh Jung gets into Commonwealth Games action on Friday aiming to win a majority of the eight events he is competing in.
Jung, who won two golds and three silver medals in Manchester four years ago, launches his campaign by teaming up with Vivek Singh in the 50m Pistol Pairs final at the International Shooting Club in Melbourne.
The 36-year-old has discarded the rapid fire pistol event but is regarded a clear favourite in the four other categories - singles and pairs - after impressive recent performances.
Jung warned rivals of his current form by winning his least favourite event, the 25m centre fire pistol, at the warm-up badge competition early in the week.
"I have confidence in myself and my partners, but one just can't go out there thinking a gold medal is in the bag," said Jung. "It is going to be two tough weeks."
Michael Gault of England, who won three golds in Manchester, is expected to be Jung's closest competitor at the Games.
Jung will not be short of inspiration or companionship in Melbourne. His rifle-shooting wife Anuja is also on the Indian team.
The couple want to bag at least 10 medals between them.
"I won five medals in Manchester and want eight this time," said Jung. "Anuja is capable to getting at least two medals. Working together has its advantages. We don't have to look for inspiration elsewhere. We get inspired by each other."
Anuja's only regret is leaving their two-year-old daughter Saurabhi behind in New Delhi with her in-laws.
"Sometimes when we return from a long stint abroad, our daughter looks at us in a strange manner," she said. "We are lucky we have our parents to look after her."
India and Australia are expected to corner most of the 40 shooting gold medals on offer at the Games.
At Manchester, India won 14 golds, seven silvers and three bronze medals and hope to better that feat in Melbourne.
Australia had 11 golds but took more silvers (13) and bronze (six) than the Indians and are confident of increasing that tally on their home ranges.
Other Indian gold medal contenders in action on Friday are Mansher Singh and Manavjit Sandhu (Men's Trap Pairs), Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang (Men's 10m Air Rifle Pairs), Tejaswani Sawant and Avneet Sidhu (Women's 10m Air Rifles Pairs) and Sushma Rana and Saroja Kumari (Women's 25m Pistol Pairs).
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