One needs to be psychologically and physically strong in Olympics, says Rahi Sarnobat

Sarnobat bagged a historic first as she became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. After winning the Asian Games medal now she looks forward to training hard for the Olympics in 2020. Not a single woman shooter from the country has won a medal in Olympics and she is ready to achieve this feat at the biggest sporting event. The shooter from Kolhapur wants to focus more on his mental and physical strength before the Olympics.

“An Olympic medal is the only thing which is left to achieve. So now the next (target) will be the (2020) Olympics. I went to the Olympic Games before but those are past now. Now it should be a podium finish (in Tokyo),” Sarnobat told PTI. 

“There are many things that I have to improve. Olympics is not easy. There pressure is completely different. You need to be psychologically and physically strong. Technically Indian shooters are now in very good shape. So now we have to focus more on mental and physical training.”

The Indian shooters will have to play five qualifying championships before the 2020 Olympics. The 27-year-old is of the opinion that these competitions will make them understand where they stand and where there is a need for some improvement. 

“2020 (Olympics) is quite far and its a big vision. But we have five Olympic qualification competitions and all are important as the competition will be tough and all shooters will try to qualify for the Games. These competitions will define where we are and what we can do or what we have to improve. It’s a journey, and we have to see where we are before the Olympics,” Sarnobat explained.

Speaking about her gold medal at the Asiad and role of her German coach, Sarnobat said, “I will dedicate this (medal) more to my new coach because she worked differently with me. She (Dorjsuren) is a champion, an Olympic medallist. She has that attitude which helps me to think that I can (do it).”