Heena Sidhu claims Rio Olympics berth in 10m air pistol shooting

Despite starting off with an average score of 9.8, Sidhu managed to stay ahead in 20-shots final round.

New Delhi: Ace Indian shooter Heena Sidhu on Wednesday claimed an Olympic quota place by bagging gold medal in the 10 metre air pistol at the Asia Olympic Qualifying Competition in New Delhi.

Despite starting off with an average score of 9.8, the 25-year-old still managed to stay ahead for the majority of the 20-shots final round, thus ensuring a direct qualification for the Rio Games.

Earlier, former top ranked shooter, qualified for the finals by finishing at the top after she earned 387 points during the qualification round.

After winning the gold medal and Olympics qualification, a beaming Sindhu told Hindustan Times: “I am extremely satisfied that it has happened. I had too many close shaves in the past and a failure here would have been a shame for me. But yes I can relax now and let it sink in.”

The 2016 Summer Games is scheduled to start on August 5.