CWG a stepping stone, World Championship my target, says Heena Sidhu

03/26/2018

Ace Indian pistol shooter has revealed that tournaments like Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are important but are just “stepping stone” towards her biggest target, World Championship. The 28-year-old has also shot down recent controversies concerning IOA’s dropping of 21 athletes from CWG.

One of India’s biggest hopes at the CWG from the shooting contingent, Sidhu has revealed that she considers the tournament to be the first step to win the bigger tournament - Olympics. The former World No. 1 has won a gold and a silver in 10m air pistol event in her CWG 2010 campaign and a gold in the Commonwealth Shooting Championships. She has also won bronze medals at the 10th Asian Championship and the Grand Prix of Liberation Plaza Shooting Championships in the Czech Republic.

"These Games are important -- CWG and Asian Games give you a heads up to Olympics. It's a very important year and the biggest challenge for me is the World Championship. Training is going very well and we have accomplished a lot. It is a stepping stone for the rest of the tournaments, especially the World Championship."

Sidhu came into the news recently after her outburst on social media following reports that India’s Sports Ministry had dropped 21 non-athletes from the contingent visiting Australia, which also included her husband. However, the 28-year-old has stated that she wasn’t distracted by them.

"I don't feel any tension and let these issues distract my training. I am not worried about what has happened and only concentrate on training. Shooting and nothing else,” the Asian and Commonwealth Games medalist said, reported PTI.

The Arjuna awardee had tweeted, "I have never lied, never cheated. I have always stayed true to my sport. I have been shooting for 11 years now and training with Ronak for the past 6 years. And for 6 yrs I have been having this fight. Be it funding for my coach, travel or even acknowledgment. I am mighty tired. I just want 2 put it out for everyone that Ronak is my TECHNICAL COACH. Anybody who has spent even 5 mins on the range will know I have only one coach and that's Ronak. He is also team manager for shooting."

Sidhu’s biggest competition in the tournament could be India’s emerging 16-year-old prodigy Manu Bhaker. She has already won double gold in her maiden ISSF senior World Cup and the Junior World Cup in Sydney. Sidhu has hailed the young crop of India shooters, who have shown tremendous maturity.

"They have shown tremendous potential in recent times and that augurs very well for Indian shooting," she said.