‘Pistol Queen’ Javanmardi ends retirement, targets Asian Para Games glory
Iranian shooting great Sareh Javanmardi is set to come out of retirement and target glory at October’s Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in Japan.
Nicknamed the “Pistol Queen,” the 41-year-old star appeared to bring the curtain down on her illustrious career after winning the women’s 10m air pistol title at the Paris 2024 Paralympics – her fourth gold medal in as many appearances at the Games.
In an interview with Mehr News Agency last year, Javanmardi insisted she had no plans to compete again, citing “personal reasons as well as certain circumstances within the Iranian sports structure” behind her decision.
However, the decorated shooter appears to have had a change of heart. She has resumed training with the national team in recent weeks and is set for her first international appearance in 22 months when she competes at the upcoming WSPS Grand Prix, which begins on June 16 in Novi Sad, Serbia.
The tournament, featuring various pistol and rifle events, also serves as a qualification pathway for the Asian Para Games. Javanmardi, who also won a Paralympic bronze medal at London 2012, will be aiming to secure a place at the continental showpiece and challenge for a fourth Asian Para Games medal.
Javanmardi claimed gold in the 10m air pistol and silver in the 50m pistol event at Jakarta 2018 before settling for silver behind fellow Iranian Faezeh Ahmadi in her favored 10m air pistol discipline at Hangzhou 2022.
Ahmadi is also included in the Iranian squad for Novi Sad. She will be joined by Nasrin Shahi – the 10m air pistol champion at last year’s WSPS World Cup – as well as Mohammadreza Mirshafiei, Mostafa Khadem, Mobina Moslemi, Zahra Jafari, and Mahsa Haji-Mohammadi.