India’s big medal hope Heena Sidhu crashed out after shooting a qualification score of 380 in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Heena has been in top form in the run up to the Games and had won three back-to-back gold medals at the Asian Airgun, Asian Championship and at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers.
After the first two series of 94 and 95 Sidhu — the former World No. 1 — was at 26th position. That meant she had to put in a seriously improved showing in the remaining two series, but it was not to be.
Heena shot 96 and 95 in the third and fourth series and finally finished 14th.
Sidhu’s qualification round exit adds to the overall disappointment of India’s shooters so far.
Heena will now try to make amends when she competes in 25m pistol schedule to be held on August 9.
Whats done is done. Next event on 9th…
— Heena sidhu (@HeenaSidhu10) August 7, 2016
First-time Olympian Zhang Mengxue of China won the gold medal in the women’s 10-metre air pistol, extending China’s gold-medal streak in the sport.
With a score of 199.4 points in 20 shots, the 25-year-old Zhang handily defeated Vitalina Batsarashkina from Russia, the silver medallist with a score of 197.1. Anna Korakaki from Greece won the bronze.
