Heena Sidhu won the bronze medal in women’s 10m air pistol at the 2018 Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia.
The 27-year-old Heena came from behind in the final and was just 0.1 from the lead after she produced a near-perfect 10.8 on the 21st shot. She needed atleast a 10.2 on her next shot to move up in the top two but could only manage a 9.6 to finish third with a score of 219.2.
Earlier in the qualification, Heena, who did not figure in the top eight after four series, registered 99 in her fifth series and then followed it up with a series of 95 to make it to the final with the seventh best score of 571/600.
It is all because of my efforts in the finals that I have won a medal. The qualification was low. I am not happy with it at all,ÔÇØ said Heena.
In the finals, I kept fighting from the first shot. In the beginning, the group was more on the left. I kept giving clicks to my sighter so that I could hit the bulls eye but I should have given more clicks.
In the finals you are under pressure. You are not sure that ÔÇÿare you making the mistake or is it just the grouping that has shiftedÔÇÖ So I was trying to be very defensive. I think if I would have been more decisive and given more clicks in the beginning, I am sure I would have won the gold,ÔÇØ said the 28-year-old.
This is Heena’s first individual medal and third in total at the Asian Games. She won a team silver in 2010 and a team bronze in 2014.
Heena’s bronze was India ninth shooting medal from the Games.
China Wang Qian won the gold with a Games record of 240.3 while Korea Minjung Kim won the silver with 237.6, her second medal of the Games after the bronze in 25m pistol.
There was more disappointment in store for the teen sensation Manu Bhaker as the Commonwealth Games gold medallist was eliminated at 5th place with a score of 176.2 in 18 shots.
For two straight events at the ongoing Games, the 16-year-old Manu shot brilliantly in the qualification but did could not repeat her fine performance in the finals.
Manu who had topped the 25m pistol qualification with a Games record on Wednesday, shot the third best qualification score of 574 today.
Manu could not meet the rising expectations but would be fired up to do her best at the upcoming ISSF World Championships.
Well played @HeenaSidhu10! Proud of you for winning the Bronze in the 10 m Air pistol event. You demonstrated tremendous grit, which ensured you won the prestigious medal. #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/Iy4o4naXAv
ÔÇö Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2018
The Results:
Women’s 10m Air Pistol: 1. Wang Qian (China) 240.3 GR (580); 2. Minjung Kim (Korea) 237.6 (575); 3. Heena Sidhu (India) 219.2 (571); 5. Manu Bhaker (India) 176.2 (574).