Former world number 1 and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Heena Sidhu is geared up for the ISSF World Cup in Munich, which is all set to begin from Wednesday.
Pistol shooter Heena, who is hoping to test her skills and score consistent high scores in the build up to world championships, will be competing in three events – the 10 metre air pistol, 25 metre sport pistol and mixed team event (10 metre).
“The World Cup in Munich is extremely important to figure where I stand before going into the first Olympic qualifiers that will start from the World Championship in September,” Heena said on the eve of the tournament.
“We have experience of two Olympic cycles and we are using it to improve our preparations. The CWG, these World Cups are very important check points on our way to the Olympics. These competitions will show the true effects of our training and based on my results we can amend our preparations,” she added.
The field includes Serbia’s Zorana Arunovic, Ukraine’s Olena Kostevych, Greece’s Anna korakaki, France’s Celine Goberville and those from China, Korea and Germany besides countrymates Manu Bhaker (10 metre) and Rahi Sarnobat (25m).
Heena says she has worked on physical conditioning and body stability in the two-week training camp in Germany.
“We are focusing on physical conditioning and body stability. There are some good balancing equipment here so we are making use of it,” said coach Ronak Pandit on Heena’s preparations.
Heena will begin her World Cup campaign with the 25 meter sport pistol event qualification precision event on Thursday. The qualification rapid fire stage will be held on Friday, with the finals slated to be held on the same day.
On May 27, Heena will be in action in the 10m air pistol followed by Monday’s mixed team category event.
“I am in sound technical physical and mental state and my equipment is in top notch condition as well. I love competing in Munich and look forward to the competition,” Heena said.
