GOLF/ Shibuno returns home a hero and takes dead aim at Olympic spot

Hinako Shibuno returns to Japan in triumph on Aug. 6. Hundreds of fans gather at Haneda Airport to celebrate her historic win at the AIG Women’s British Open. Clutching her AIG Women's British Open silver trophy, Hinako Shibuno returned to Japan with her sights now set on adding an Olympic gold medal next summer to her fledgling collection.“My goal is to compete in the Tokyo Olympics. I haven’t thought about any other goal beyond that,” Shibuno said at Haneda Airport on Aug. 6, upon her triumphant return home.“I do want to win the gold medal,” Shibuno admitted at a news conference at the capital’s airport.However, she added, “I’m sorry, I haven’t even been selected to go to the Olympics yet.”Shibuno made a dramatic leap in the world rankings to boost her chances of being one of the players who will represent Japan.With her trademark beaming smile, the rookie pro birdied the 18th hole in dramatic fashion at Woburn Golf Club near Milton Keynes, England, to win the Women's British Open on Aug. 4.It was a remarkable feat for Shibuno, who turned pro in 2018, to win in her first tournament abroad.