Jung keen to earn quota place in London Olympics 2012

Struggling to get back his golden touch, shooter Samresh Jung is looking forward to start an important year ahead that has four World Cups, apart from the Asian Championship, to earn a place in 2012 London Olympics.

Ranchi: Struggling to get back his golden touch, ace shooter Samresh Jung is looking forward to start it all over again as he gears up for an important year ahead that has four World Cups, apart from the Asian Championship, to earn a quota place in 2012 London Olympics.

Nicknamed `Goldfinger` after winning five gold medals at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Jung did now have memorable performances at the Delhi Commonwealth Games last year, where he could win only a silver and a bronze, while in the Asian Games he had be satisfied with a seventh-place finish in standard pistol event. But the veteran shooter is focussed now with his eyes on getting a quota place for London Olympics.Representing Himachal Pradesh at the 34th National Games here, Jung is aiming to bag four gold medals. "The aim is to constantly improve. We already have acquired two quota places (Gagan Narang in air rifle and Hariom Singh in free rifle prone), let`s see how the year pans out," the 40-year-old said at the Tikait Umrao Shooting Range in the Mega Sports Complex on the outskirts of the city here. With only four World Cups and Asian Championship left for acquiring the quota place for the London 2012, it`s an uphill task for the Indian rifle and pistol shooters to grab their chances straightaway. But the ace pistol shooter is determined to get there. "I am not worried too much about the form at this point of time. It`s a new year and I`m focussed on improving my scores. There is still time left, I hope to peak at the right time," Jung said."This National Games give us a very good opportunity to practice and get into form before the selection trials for the World Cup. These Games are really important to me," Narang, a veteran of six National Games, said. Asked whether he regretted missing the gold in the Commonwealth Games, Jung said, "It was not a big disappointment, at least I finished with a silver and bronze. "I improved my scores at the Asian Games and we had a tie at the fourth-place but eventually I finished seventh." Still without a personal coach, Jung said, "Yes, I am still without a coach, but I`m in regular touch with former team coach Tibor Gonczol of Melbourne and he helps me out when there is a need." However, Jung insisted that quitting the game is not in his 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 done simultaneously," he said. PTI