Apurvi banking on maturity and experience to return with medal from Tokyo

Ace Indian shooter Apurvi Chandela believes maturity and experience will hold her in good stead at next year's Olympics and she will work on her technique and mental strength to return with a medal from Tokyo.

Apurvi, currently ranked world no.1, emerged as a top medal contender at the Rio Games after a slew of record-breaking performances but "went blank" during the 10 metre air rifle competition, eventually ending 34th in the qualification round.

"I was younger then, but now I have matured, have more experience and a better sense of how to handle any kind of situation. These have been learning experiences," Apurvi, who secured an Olympic quota with a bronze at the 2018 World Cup in Changwon, told PTI.

"Overall this year has been good for me. Going into the Olympics, I have to focus on my technique, physical condition and mental shape and get better in them," added the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold-medallist.

The Indian rifle and pistol shooters have been in phenomenal form this year, topping the medals tally at all four World Cup stages, picking up a total of 22 medals, including as many as 16 gold.

India have nine quota places so far for the Olympics and Apurvi believes with a bunch of young go-getters in their ranks, the country will be able to put up a good show at next year's Games.

"The Indian team has grown so well, we have a big chance of winning medals at the Olympics," said Apurvi, who achieved the world number one position in the women's 10m air rifle event in May this year.

"We have a good lot of shooters, you are focused on the task and are young and go-getters. The kind of spirit that they have got into the team is amazing and so I think we would be able to do better this time."
"So the margins are higher and the things that I am extracting from myself, which at some point, I thought I am not capable of, so boundaries are being broken."