"It was my last chance to win the quota," the youngest Indian to qualify for the Paris Olympics, Tilottama Sen is excited for her first Olympics

15-year-old Tilottama Sen qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 after winning the silver at the Asian Shooting Championships 2023 in Changwon, the Republic of Korea. Sen scored 252.3 in the final and won a silver in the 10m rifle shooting to get the quota for Paris. After returning to India, the sensational shooting star shared her thoughts with Sportz Point in an exclusive interview.

In February 2023, Sportz Point was one of the very firsts to Tilottama Sen's story who then had won bronze medal in ISSF World Cup in Cairo, Egypt.

Tilottama missed her chance to get the olympic quota in Baku World Championship earlier this year after missing out on bronze by brisk whereas Mehuli Ghosh earned the Olympic quota after winning the bronze there.

Sen had to be satisfied with fourth place at Baku with 208.4 points. Hence, not only she missed the Paris Olympis Quota, she missed out on the Asian Games as well.

"I was really disappointed after missing out in Baku. I also missed the Asian Games as well. So, I had to do it this time. This was my last chance," Tilottama told Sportz Point in an exclusive interview.

Also Read: Asian Shooting Championship: Tilottama Sen wins silver medal to secure Paris Olympic quota

This was make or break for 15-year-old Tilottama who kept her compsure to earn the silver medal at the Asian Shooting Championship. Tilottama sounded excited for her maiden Olympics although she knows she needs to be up and ready for the biggest event of her life till now.

Also Read: Tilottama Sen: The 14-year-old shooter is aiming for Olympics after winning bronze at ISSF World Cup, says her father

"I am really happy and excited as this would be my maiden Olympics game. The Asian Championships was a tough competition for me. I had some issues with the dress and weapon as well. So, I am very happy to get the silver even after those difficulties," Tilottama added.

"I know there are lots of things that I will have to work upon to be at my best during the Games. I am working on my technical and mental aspects to get better."

At the tender age of 15, Tilottama Sen has a cool head on her shoulder which helps her stay calm and composed during those crunch moments like Asian Championships had. As per her, those are the moments that she practices for thought-out the years sho that she can be on point on those demanding situations. Being mentally calm and focused are one of the aspects of her game that makes her do better in those crunch momets.

"I knew this was my last chance to win the quota. So, I was preparing for this moment. Moreover, during the practice, we work on my mental aspect of the game as well so that I can be ready for those moments when I need to be calm and focused," Sen answered on being asked about how she copes demanding situations during matches.

Also Read: ISSF World Cup: Tilottama Sen wins bronze in women's air rifle

Sujit Sen, Tilottama's father is also super proud of her daughter who just keeps on getting better day by day. Tilottama's entry to the Paris Olympics as the youngest Indian has given him joy and excitement but he knows, her daughter would need to keep getting better to see that Indian flag hoisted during the medal ceremony in Paris.

"We are super proud of her. Oviously after the disappointment of Baku, we had the target to get the quota in the Asian Shooting Championships. She achieved that. But, yes, she obviously there is always room for improvement. I am pretty sure, if she can keep getting better, she will make everyone proud," Sujit Sen told Sportz Point.

Along with Tilottama, a total of 13 Indian Shooters have qualified for the Paris Olympics via quota till now.

Medals won by Tilottama Sen at World Cup and World Championships till now