Jaipur: Ace woman trap shooter Shagun Chaudhary feels that the recent change in format in her event suits her fine and she is confident of winning laurels for the country in international tournaments.
Shagun, who had finished 20th at London Olympics, said she has gained in confidence over the years. She won gold at the recent Nationals in New Delhi.
"I could not do well at the London Olympics but gained in confidence. Had the current format adopted now by the ISSF been there I could have fared better. The new format suits me fine as it does not carry the weight of the qualifying rounds into the finals," said the 30-year-old.
"I feel confident because it is more a matter of nerves now and you make altogether a new beginning in the final round. Another factor is that I have done well in this format and it gives me confidence and obviously it is a game of confidence," she said.
Shagun was all praise of the government and the NRAI for the support they had extended to her.
"Things have changed drastically for shooters. The government is doing all possible for us. We have a complete support system and we are allowed to move with our caches. There is no dearth of money and equipments unlike a few years ago," said Shagun who switched to trap shooting after women's double trap event was scrapped by the ISSF.
"I am being coached by Marcello Dradi. Sports psychologist and a physio are also there. There are a few grey areas I am working on but coach Dradi has asked me 'to be a wild board instead of a rabbit'.
"I am also getting a new Italian Perazzi gun. Till now I was shooting with the same gun which was provided by the then CM Vasundhara Raje in 2005. With a new gun I would try and seal an Olympic quota place in the forthcoming ISSF world Championship in Spain in September," said Shagun who has won medals at the national and international levels.
"It's going to be a busy year. I feel I'm on right track and with all the support from government and NRAI, hopefully I would do well. I am training with the current top shooter Jessica and have beaten her in a few practice tournaments. That has given a boost to my confidence."
