New Delhi, December 24: India witnessed the rise of another shooter when Zeena Khitta defeated Mehuli Ghosh and former world number one Apurvi Chandela to clinch the gold in the 63rd National Shooting Championship earlier this month. Khitta recorded a score of 252.2 in the 10m air rifle event. The 18-year-old said that she is hoping to book a place in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"It feels very good to triumph in the National Championship. The competition was very tough with Apurvi Chandela and Mehuli Ghosh in the tournament. At the moment, I am hoping to book a place in the Tokyo Olympics," said Khitta.

The shooter hails from Rohru, Himachal Pradesh. Since there was a shooting range in her hometown, Khitta took up shooting as a hobby and gradually thought of a career in the sport. The 18-year-old moved to Chandigarh for further studies and continued to practice shooting. Khitta, who has taken part in both the editions of the Khelo India Games, said that the competition is moving towards a world-level tournament.

"I won gold in the first edition of the Khelo India Games. I participated in the 10m air rifle event for Chandigarh. I finished fifth while playing for Himachal Pradesh in the second edition of the Khelo India Games. The Khelo India Games had an energising environment. All athletes who participated in the tournament from different schools boosted one another. The competition is moving towards becoming a world-level tournament," said the Himachal shooter. Khitta expressed that winning an Olympic gold is the biggest dream of her life.

"It feels great to be one of the top shooters in the country. My biggest dream is to win Olympic gold. Hopefully, I will achieve it next year or in 2024," said Khitta.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2019 06:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).