Why do we fail to appreciate the Indian athletes who are not playing cricket? We all give more importance to cricket but not other sports? Why is it so? Yes, it depends on one’s personal interest but let’s learn to praise the players who give their heart out playing for India. Do you know who is Heena Sidhu? She is India’s professional sports shooter.
Sindhu shot into prominence when she became the first Indian shooter to reach the number one spot in the world ranking on 7 April 2014. After a slew of consistent performances with grit and determination, she was able to get the better of the opponents and made the country proud. She didn’t allow the negativity to get the better of herself and she went about her business, come what may.
She carved out a reputation for herself as a successful shooter. As far as her education career is concerned, Heena had completed bachelors in the Dental surgery. Talking about shooting, not just Sidhu but even her father was a recognised sports shooter at the national level.
Interestingly, Heena Sidhu’s brother is also a professional shooter and he actively involves in the 10 metre air pistol event. Sidhu’s husband Ronak Pandit, with whom she got married is also a pistol shooter. Heena Sidhu currently lives in Goregaon, Mumbai. Heena Sidhu’s professional shooting venture began in the year 2006. She had actively taken part in the national games for both junior and senior teams. Heena Sidhu wrote a success story for herself when she along with shooter Annu Raj Singh bagged the gold medal in the 2010 commonwealth games in the women’s air pistol in 10 metre.
Heena Sidhu bagged the gold medal at the International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup Finals in Munich, Germany in 2013. Her string of good recitals steered her to qualify for the Summer Olympics of Rio in 2016 in the women’s 10-metre air pistol and the women’s 25-metre pistol events.
As per the rankings released by International Shooting Sports Federation, Heena Sidhu had become world No.1 in the 10 metres air pistol event.
She continued her winning prowess as she won a gold medal in the Asian Air Gun Championship in Kuwait and also finished with a silver at the ISSF rifle/pistol World Cup in Fort Benning, USA. At the competitive World Cup tournament, 2013 in Munich, Sidhu stole the spotlight as she created a world record score to win the gold medal.
Let’s not wait for the media. Kindly share this information with others and that’s the best gift we can give to Heena Sindhu. Great players deserve media attention and a massive appreciation.
