IndianShooting Interview/Heena Sidhu

“I have set my sights on the 2010 Commonwealth Games”

Heena Sidhu

27 July 2009. It’s unbelievable but true, National champion in women's 10m air pistol---Heena Sidhu--doesn’t follow the rule book. On an average she trains for about an-hour that too four-five days in a week. Where as the other contemporary shooters in the national squad slog for hours daily.

Despite low volumes of training, within a short span of time, she has established herself as a world class shooter, which is quite enigmatic. This year on her debut in the series of ISSF World Cups, the Punjab based shooter hit the headlines by winning a silver medal in women's air pistol event in the Beijing edition.

Excellent run in the global competitions has instilled high level of confidence in her, now she has set her sights on the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The shooter talks about her World Cup experience and her future goals!

You had entered the World Cup competitions for the first time, tell us something about your experience?

It was a good learning experience for me. Since I was participating in the world cups for the first time, I was amazed to see a large number of shooters from across the world. It was also a good interaction with fellow shooters. I missed the chance of pocketing a medal in the opening competition in Changwon, Korea as I wasn’t able to focus well. But I compensated for it in the Beijing edition. In Beijing, I made efforts to concentrate, it worked out and I got a silver. My performance in the last two editions of the world cups--Munich and Milan, was also good. It was a big boost to my confidence.

You started late, but still made it to the World level in a short span of three years. What is your strength?

My ability to score better in competitions than in training, is my major strength. I like tough competitions, particularly finals. I began serious training when I was studying in class 12th (2006). And by the end of the year, I made it to the junior national team.

Tell us something about your training regimen which is different from other shooters in the national squad?

Unlike other shooters, I can’t train for three-four hours or more in a day. I want to keep my interest in shooting and train for one-hour on an average. If I train more, I loose my concentration. At the most I shoot around 70 pellets in a session. I try to devote 100 percent in training.

What about mental/ physical aspect of training?

I am not a physical fitness freak. In fact, I hardly devote any time to fitness training. Sometimes I do swimming. That’s all.

Buying a weapon is a big challenge for all shooters in the country. How did you manage?

I was a bit lucky in that respect. Our district rifle association had purchased an air pistol in 2006 and they gave it to me. I still train with the same pistol.

In the formative years of training, how tough was the training?

In the beginning it was tough. But I picked up very fast and donned the national colours within six months of training.

What are your immediate goals?

My main focus is to complete my degree course from a dental college in Patiala since there are no big tournaments this year. I have set my eyes on the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Apart from the Olympics qualification rounds, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are major competitions next year. I should be participating in all. Hopefully win laurels too.

Sometimes you are not very consistent in competitions. What is the reason?

It all depends on the level of concentration in a particular match. Sometimes, I am not able to focus properly and the score goes down. Otherwise this year I have done exceedingly well in almost all the major competitions that I participated in. indianshooting.com