HYDERABAD: City shooter
Esha Singh inched closer to achieving her dream of making it to the
Tokyo Olympics
as
the National Rifles Association of India
(NRAI), on Friday named her in the core training group for the quadrennial Games.
NRAI said the list was compiled in consultation with chief coaches but did not reveal a schedule for any training camp.
In fact, 15-year-old Esha had narrowly missed out on Tokyo Olympics berth during the qualification tournament held in New Delhi in February. But the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics renewed her dreams.
"This was totally unexpected," Esha told TOI. "Now I am one step closer to achieving the Olympic berth. It's a proud moment for me. I am grateful to everyone for their support," she said.
At the Olympics qualification event in February, Esha had narrowly lost to
Manu Bhaker and
Yashaswini Singh Deswal
to finish third in the 10m air pistol category.
Ever since the lockdown began, Esha has been practising regularly at a shooting range and gym set up at home. "She's practising regularly. But we really don't know when the training camp will be held," said Sachin Singh, Esha's father.
"I know the competition will be tough. I was doing really well before the Covid-19 pandemic halted competitions. But nothing is impossible," said Esha, who won the Asian junior championship gold at Doha, Qatar last year.
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