But those are really good, especially considering you took them handheld AND against all the advice! I wouldn't expect them to be much sharper than that. You can expect to have to do some sharpening on digital photos as a rule anyhow. Even more so if they are RAW images as those have no in camera sharpening like jpg's usually do.

Looking at those I'd say it's your technique that needs work. In these shots you were totally focused on not moving the camera at the time of shooting, and it worked. I'd say the way you hold the camera/lens (support it from beneath), the way you push the button (squeeze don't push), the way you hold your tongue (wiggle don't poke), the way you hold your breath (actually seriously ... try taking a deep breath and expelling it ... at the moment it's all gone ... take the shot) and if al lthat doesn't work then I might as well start telling you to wear different coloured bra's because I'm out of ideas!!