Would love to shoot in both 10m and 25m events at Olympics: Manu Bhaker

Mental preparedness will be key to handling pressure in Olympics, according to Manu Bhaker, who on Wednesday said she would love to shoot in both 10m and 25m pistol events at Games, provided she makes final squad.

Last month, 17-year-old Manu recently fired her way to gold medal with a junior world record in women's 10m air pistol event of World Cup Finals in Putian, ending year's international commitments on a rousing te. 

READ | Manu Bhaker At 17: Breaking World Records, Winning Gold Medals And Gunning For Glory

w she is all geared up for biggest sporting event of all.

"It all depends on selection of team. I can't say anything about that right w. But if you are asking me about my preference, of course, I would look to shoot in both 10m and 25m, as I give equal importance to both events and my scores in 25m is t bad at all," Manu told PTI during an interview.

ace shooter added: "I may t have won in 25m but my scores are good re also."

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Manu was leading throughout 25m air pistol final of Munich World Cup until an equipment malfunction dashed her hopes. However, she came back strongly to secure Olympic quota in 10m event following day, though she missed out on a medal by 0.1 points.

"I am preparing in earnest. Though Olympic is at back of my mind, I am t taking too much load thinking about it. That will t help. I need to be mentally more stable, we all are working on mental aspect of game as it holds key in an event of such magnitude. We need to be mentally fit to handle pressure of such events," she said.

Though she has t really set st ablaze in individual events, Manu has won mixed events in all four World Cups in 2019, besides World Cup Final glory in China. She is satisfied with her performance.

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"This was one of my best years and I would look to continue in same fashion in coming months. 

"I would t say I had a better year compared to 2018 but I definitely believe I had a great year for sure. I achieved a lot, my scores were better this year."

Manu said she didn't pay attention to criticism and trolling that would follow a bad result. She would rar focus on her shooting and scores.

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On Khelo India program that is in its second edition, she said it provides a great platform to those who are aspiring to show ir mettle but don't get recognition. 

"This is very helpful for emerging stars of country, y get recognition and platform to show ir talent," Manu said.