Former world number one Heena Sidhu lived upto her reputation as she clinched the gold medal in women’s 10m air pistol to end India’s campaign at the 8th Asian Air Gun Championship on a winning note here on Wednesday.
Shweta Singh, who last won her international medal at the Asian Games last year held at Incheon grabbed the silver medal. Korea’s Seon A Kim took the bronze medal.
In the qualification round, young Indian shooter topped the table with 387 points. However, she could not reciprocate the same when she finished fourth shooting 155.3 points in her first international final.
Heena Sidhu, gold medallist of 2014 Asian Championship in 10m air piston shot 197.8 points in the finals ahead of teammate Shweta Singh who was just 0.8 points behind her.
Heena got off to a terrific start firing a 10.7. But it was Shweta who took the lead after the first three shots shooting two 10’s as compared to 9.8 & 9.3 by Heena.
India, won an impressive haul of 17 medals, including six gold (two in individual senior), (five silver, six bronze) to finish as toppers in the continental event.
In the overall standings, Iran took the second place with 12 medals, including six gold and five silver medals, followed by Taipei, winning one gold, two silver and as many bronze.
The first Indian pistol shooter to be ranked world number one, Heena added, "My shots were getting fired as the delay makes you a little jittery.
"Pressure was there, you shooting at home and everybody watching you. But clapping doesn't matter to me. It's no distraction." Shweta was happy that she could win her first international medal after the Incheon Asian Games last summer.
"This medal means after a year I made it to the podium, last time being the Asian Games. I wish I could have shot better in the qualification (383). But definitely, this will help me boost my confidence ahead of the Asian Shooting Championship," Shweta said. The trio of Heena, Shweta and Yashaswini won the team gold in women's 10m air pistol ahead of Sri lanka.
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 bronze medal, while she with Malaika Goel and Nayani Bhardwaj to claim the team gold in the event.