Unfamiliar stage too difficult to handle: Kishmala

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Kishmala Talat admitted that an altogether different stage made it tough for her to put in her best on Saturday at the Paris Olympics.

Talking to The News from the shooting venue following her failure to qualify for the finals in the 10m Air Pistol for women, Kishmala said that the surroundings were a bit different and difficult for her. “I would not blame anything for not being able to put up my best show but I think the surroundings and conditions were different for me. Obviously, it is not easy for a newcomer like me to adjust instantly in such tough conditions,” she said.

The first Pakistan lady shooter to qualify for the Olympics finished 31st in the 44-women field scoring 567 which was not enough to take her into the finals.

Kishmala hit 10 bull’s-eye but on a few occasions she was seen missing even the nine which ultimately made it difficult for her to make it to the finals.

“You can say that lack of exposure and competing in the company of such a galaxy of the field could be the one reason for not finishing among the top 15. Some renowned shooters had vast experience and exposure to competing against the best. These women shooters have years of experience and exposure behind them while I was new in the field. Yet I made my best efforts to earn a better position,” she said.

“Winning a medal at the Olympics is my dream and I will make every effort to earn it in the years to come. It is never easy to beat the best and most experienced shooters. But with dedication and hard work, I think it is possible. In the years to come I would make every effort to gather all my energies to win a medal at the mega event,” the 22-year-old Kishmala said.

Responding to a question on her chances in the team event where Ghulam Joseph will be her partner, she said she was not in a position to make promises.

“I cannot promise anything except that I will make an all-out attempt to help the teammate put up a better show. It all depends on that particular day as to how we go on to strike the targets. It all depends on how we make the best of that particular time amid the tough surroundings,” Kishmala said.

As many as 17 pairs are in the run for the medals in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event. The qualifying round will be held on Monday (tomorrow), followed by the finals the next day.