Yes, because she's that good," Pandit predicted confidently. Male shooter Abhinav Bindra became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal when he triumphed in the 10 metre air rifle event in Beijing in 2008. Her husband and coach Ronak Pandit is confident Heena can achieve something special - the first individual Indian medal in women's shooting and perhaps breaking the world record en route. "I've shot so many high-pressure matches since that (London) Olympics where I've gotten the medal so it gives you that confidence," she explained to AFP at Mumbai's Maharashtra Rifle Association. In January she grabbed 10 metre gold in Asia's Olympic qualifying tournament. Heena has gone from strength to strength since London, winning gold in the 10 metre air pistol at the ISSF World Cup in Germany in 2013. "When I went to London it wasn't so enjoyable because I was under so much pressure that I put on myself, which I don't want this time." "If I think about the medal from the first shot I won't even be able to release it - that's how the sport of shooting is. Heena blamed her early exit on being too desperate to win but insists she has learnt from the experience and will do things differently this time around. She endured disappointment four years ago though, finishing 12th in qualification and failing to make the final. The Games will be Heena's second Olympics after competing in the 10 metre air pistol at London 2012. ![]() None have been in shooting and no Indian woman has stood on the top step of the podium.īut Heena, who has an International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup title and a Commonwealth Games silver medal to her name, is regarded as the best chance of filling that gaping hole with gold. India have only won three Olympic medals in individual women's events. "I just don't want to add my personal expectations to that pressure which is already there and make it so hard on myself." That pressure comes from expectations," said Heena, who will compete in the 10 metre and 25 metre air pistol events at the Games in August. The 26-year-old, who is a qualified dentist, may be desperate to put a smile on the face of medal-starved fans back home but she knows that she must stay relaxed despite carrying the huge burden of an expectant nation. ![]() With one hand in her pocket and the other on the trigger, India's ace shooter Heena Sidhu is trying to keep it cool as she targets glory at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
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