Jung keen to earn quota place in London Olympics 2012

Tapan Mohanta

Ranchi, Feb 15 (PTI) Struggling to get back his goldentouch, ace shooter Samresh Jung is looking forward to start itall over again as he gears up for an important year ahead thathas four World Cups, apart from the Asian Championship, toearn a quota place in 2012 London Olympics.

Nicknamed ''Goldfinger'' after winning five gold medals atthe 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Jung did now havememorable performances at the Delhi Commonwealth Games lastyear, where he could win only a silver and a bronze, while inthe Asian Games he had be satisfied with a seventh-placefinish in standard pistol event.

But the veteran shooter is focussed now with his eyes ongetting a quota place for London Olympics.

Representing Himachal Pradesh at the 34th National Gameshere, Jung is aiming to bag four gold medals.

"The aim is to constantly improve. We already haveacquired two quota places (Gagan Narang in air rifle andHariom Singh in free rifle prone), let''s see how the year pansout," the 40-year-old told PTI at the Tikait Umrao ShootingRange in the Mega Sports Complex on the outskirts of the cityhere.

With only four World Cups and Asian Championship left foracquiring the quota place for the London 2012, it''s an uphilltask for the Indian rifle and pistol shooters to grab theirchances straightaway.

But the ace pistol shooter is determined to get there.

"I am not worried too much about the form at this pointof time. It''s a new year and I''m focussed on improving myscores. There is still time left, I hope to peak at the righttime," Jung said.

"This National Games give us a very good opportunity topractice and get into form before the selection trials for theWorld Cup. These Games are really important to me," Narang, aveteran of six National Games, said.

Asked whether he regretted missing the gold in theCommonwealth Games, Jung said, "It was not a bigdisappointment, at least I finished with a silver and bronze.

"I improved my scores at the Asian Games and we had a tieat the fourth-place but eventually I finished seventh."

Still without a personal coach, Jung said, "Yes, I amstill without a coach, but I''m in regular touch with formerteam coach Tibor Gonczol of Melbourne and he helps me out whenthere is a need."

However, Jung insisted that quitting the game is not inhis agenda at this point of time.

"I''ll keep performing, I''ve not thought of giving up yet.

I can think of getting into coaching, which can be donesimultaneously," he said.