Heena Sidhu hopes to break Asian Games gold medal jinx

Press Trust of India  |  Mumbai 

The failed attempts to bag the top prize in her previous appearances are fresh in her memory as shooter up to break the gold medal in the upcoming quadrennial extravaganza.

"This is another opportunity to do that, improve my medal and performance. I have got two team bronze in the Asian Games, and hopefully, I will improve my performance and maybe even get the gold," said the 28 year-old today.

The former world number one was speaking on the sidelines of a send-off event arranged by the Indian team's sponsors Edelweiss.

Heena, however, cautioned that medals cannot be guaranteed even if the performance is an improvement on earlier displays.

"I cannot guarantee a medal. Medals are subjective and it's a comparative sort of thing which comes at the end of a good performance. That's what I am trying to do, put up a good performance and improve my score," said the two-time gold medal winner.

Heena is to take part in the 10m air pistol event but post Games, will be seen in action in the 25m event as well as in the mixed event at in Korea.

"Preparation has been going well. We are also preparing for the World Championship, which is an even bigger competition. I will be participating in all three events in the World Championships 10m and 25 m individual and 10m mixed - and 10m air pistol in the

"Both are important for me. It's been a long time we have been practising," said Heena, who is married to shooter-turned-coach,

The markswoman is also confident of the Indian shooters improving on their showings in the 2014 Incheon in the upcoming edition.

"I think it will improve. I have seen the performance. I have trained with them and I have seen where we went wrong last time. Overall, it will be much better as a team and the scores will be better," she said.

had secured one gold, won by pistol marksman Jitu Rai, one silver and seven bronze medals in shooting four years ago.

The Indonesia-bound women's team and gymnast were among those present at the event along with Bollywood star

(IOA) was also present on the occasion, as Edelweiss announced a of Rs 50 lakh to each member of the Indian contingent.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, July 28 2018. 19:45 IST