Shooting range a let-down: Roopa

BANGKOK, DEC 7: Despite a gold at the Commonwealth Games two months back, shooting star Roopa Unnikrishnan was somewhat cautious today ab...

BANGKOK, DEC 7: Despite a gold at the Commonwealth Games two months back, shooting star Roopa Unnikrishnan was somewhat cautious today about her chances at the Asian Games, where the competition began with Indians finishing way down the order. quot;But today was not really our day,quot; said Roopa, expected to be one of the medallists in Sport Rifle.

Roopa, who spent last three years in Oxford while on a Rhodes scholarship, is now back home in Chennai and is waiting for a call from her new employers in New York. quot;I came back in October end and have spent the last six weeks at home,quot; said Roopa after a practise session at the Hua Mark Shooting Range. quot;I made it clear to my employers in New York, that I would continue with my shooting.quot;

On her chances, she said that after shooting at a superb range like the one in Langkawi Malaysia, this one in Bangkok was a bit of a let-down. quot;I know the Thais possibly had a tough time because of the economic downturn,quot; she added quickly not wishing to downplay the efforts ofthe locals in putting these Games together.

quot;A champion must be able to win in all conditions,quot; she said while pointing out that trolley system which takes the target back and forth hampers a fast shooter like her. quot;Normally, I finish off a match in 32 minutes or so, but that8217;s when the targets are electronic or when they are changed manually at the other end, as it is in India,quot; she said. But now she could take as much as 20-22 minutes more. quot;I will have to wait after each shot and that can affect scores because I like to get on with it and finish it quickly.quot;

As for her form, she is happy with it, but she feels, quot;I would have preferred to stay on in Oxford and practised there with my clubmates like John Sims who shot for England once and others who have been a great help to me. There the atmosphere is to my liking and I had spent three years. But my scholarship was only till October and I could not afford to stay on for another six weeks or so.quot;

Speaking of India8217;s chances, she added that JaspalRana and Mansher Singh are certainly good medal hopes and she herself feels she has a good chance. quot;But with the Chinese and the Koreans, the competition is indeed tougher than in Commonwealth Games,quot; she added.