Press Trust of India
New Delhi, Sept 30: Former World No. 1 Heena Sidhu lived up to the billing as she clinched the gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol to cap off India’s campaign at the VIIIth Asian Air Gun Championship on a winning note here Wednesday.
India also had the silver medal in the kitty as Shweta Singh stood second on the podium in the day’s marquee event, ahead of bronze medallist Seon A Kim of Korea.
Having topped the qualification with a score of 387 points alongside another young Indian shooter Yashaswini Singh Deshwal, former World Champion Heena shot 197.80 points in the finals to win the top prize. Shweta aggregated 197.00, while Kim managed 175.80 points.
India, thus, finished with an impressive haul of 17 medals, including six gold (two in individual senior), to finish as toppers in the continental event, which lost some sheen after the pull-out of powerhouses China and Korea’s decision to not send numero uno pistol shooter Jin Jong-oh.
Heena was satisfied with her effort in the qualification but the final was not up to the mark, according to her.
“Most of the time there was a lot of delay. I was taking a lot of time that plays on your mind. Today (Wednesday), I was not happy with the way I shot in the finals. I could have achieved a better score.
The first Indian pistol shooter to be ranked World No. 1, Heena added, “My shots were a bit off target as the delay made me a little jittery. Pressure was there, you shooting at home and everybody watching. But I did not let that affect me.”
Shweta was happy that she could win her first international medal after the 2014 Incheon. “This medal means a lot. I wish I could have shot better in the qualifications (383). But definitely, this will help me boost my confidence ahead of the Asian Shooting Championships,” Shweta said.
In the women’s 10m air pistol (junior), Nivetha Shri Paramanantham, Gauri Sheoran and Shreya Gawande bagged the top three prizes, respectively.
In the youth 10 air pistol (youth), India’s Harshada Nithave won the individual bronze medal, while she combined with Malaika Goel and Nayani Bhardwaj to claim the team gold in the event.
The trio of Heena, Shweta and Yashaswini won the team gold in women’s 10m air pistol ahead of Sri Lanka.
