Shooter Jitu Rai opened India’s account in the Asian Games 2014. (Source: PTI)

HITS: Commonwealth and Asian Games gold, World Championship silver, Maribor World Cup silver (all 50m pistol), Maribor World Cup gold, Munich World Cup silver, Asian Games bronze (all 10m air pistol)

Misses: Nothing much. Perhaps, a World Championship gold.

It’s been nearly two weeks that I last lifted a pistol. And I don’t think I will return to proper training for another couple of weeks at least. I need that much time off to rejuvenate and refocus.

Last year was a blur; packed with one big event after another. It was a year that was mentally and physically exhausting. But at the same time, it was a special one. I had been shooting well since 2013. Back then, however, I did not know how to make the final push for the medal. I used to choke. The pressure of the deciding shots got the better of me. But it changed in Maribor last year during the World Cup. I tasted blood. Then on, there was no looking back. I won medals in every tournament I entered.

It’s all a result of self learning. I taught myself how to keep calm under pressure; to disengage myself from the match scenario and focus solely on the target in front of me. I worked on my breathing technique. There were coaches to help me fine tune these things but it was more a case of learning through experience. And I am glad it yielded desired results.

But it’s in the past now. Not for a minute have I thought I’ve done something special. If I start thinking like that, I will get complacent and my performances will start going downwards.

More than the medals, though, I was glad to record really good scores. And that’s going to be my target this year as well. 2015 is going to be a funny year for me. After the constant rush of competing in major tournaments last year, this one is going to be a quiet one with not much happening.

Of course, there will be Olympic places at stake but I have already earned my quota. So this year I do not have any major challenges as such. But I have set a few targets for myself.

The most important is to improve my scores. I shot 550s consistently in 50m pistol last year but I need to start making amends to my game keeping in mind the Rio Olympics. Seven out of the eight qualifiers for the 50m pistol final at the London Olympics had scores of 560 or more. I managed those scores just thrice last year.

I’ve set really high standards for myself for the simple reason that in the absence of major tournaments, these targets will keep me motivated. At the same time, I have to take things easy and ensure I do not burn myself out. Last year was intense, this one has to be about winding down so that I slowly begin my ascent, come 2016.