Maintaining scores is tougher than securing Olympic quota: Bhaker

Manu Bhaker feels the Olympic quota is only a "reassurance" that she remains what she was when she burst onto the scene. For the young pistol ace, maintaining scores on the road to Tokyo is the "tougher part".

The 17-year-old recently secured India its seventh 2020 Olympic quota in shooting with a fourth-place finish in the women's 10m air pistol event of the ISSF World Cup in Munich.

"I can't exactly say that I am relieved but the difficult part surely lies ahead. I feel maintaining form and scores is tougher than securing a quota," Bhaker told PTI during an interaction.

As per its policy, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) picks the team on the basis of scores the athletes shoot in selection trials and competitions, taking into account the cumulative scores.

Bhaker showed exemplary spirit to earn the quota, as it came barely two days after a pistol malfunction dashed her hopes in the 25m air pistol in the same tournament.

"Malfunction was destiny, couldn't have done much