Focused on following technique and keeping nerves, says Apurvi Chandela

Chandela has been on fire of late with her back-to-back scintillating performances at the World Cup. In the three World Cups that she has participated so far, she has reached three finals, created a world record in one of them and won two gold medals. And ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she is definitely of India’s greatest hope.

Her latest exploits came on Sunday in Germany when she topped the qualifying rounds with a brilliant score of 633 points to enter the knockout rounds. She was followed by compatriot Elavenil Valarivan, who had scored 632.7. However, while Valarivan lost out on a bronze medal by just a 0.1-point margin, Chandela’s run went right till the end with China's Wang Luyao.

The Indian was ahead by just 0.1 point until the second last shot and buried the result with the last shot of 10.4. Though Wang responded equally well with 10.3, it could only see her aggregate to 250.8 points. Chandela won the gold with a score 251 as she further cemented her world number-one spot in ISSF rankings.

"I was focused on following my technique in every shot and keeping my nerves under control till the last shot," said the 26-year-old girl, reported TimesofIndia.com.

"I've been working hard in training and trying to get better each day; the medals are just a result of that. I've still got a lot to achieve, so I'm happy to be on the right track," she concluded.