How star archer Deepika Kumari is plotting a comeback

For over a decade, Deepika Kumari has been setting new records in archery. She talks to Mint about wanting more

- Shail Desai

About a year ago, archer Deepika Kumari had to put her bow away, A as she awaited the start of another beautiful journey. In December 2022, the Olympian's life changed with the arrival of her daughter, Vedika.

The two-time World Championships silver medallist had her hands full. But just three weeks after Vedika's birth, she was back on the ground taking aim to make the cut for the Indian team. "That time was unlike how things are today. My body reacted very differently after delivery. It wasn't like I was trailing by a big margin during the trials, but I was out of the team due to a single mistake," Kumari, 29, recalls.

Over the last few months, it's been a gradual rebuilding effort for Kumari. And she realised things were on track after regaining her touch at the first major competition this year. At the National Games in Goa in November, she picked up three medals in all: gold in the individual and mixed team, while silver in the women's team event.

"The National Games was big for me since I was competing after really long.

Right before this event, I had gone for the selection trials of the Asian Archery Championships where I finished fifth. I faced a few problems there, so my main goal was to iron them out while looking at long term goals," she says. "More than the medals, I was happy with how I fared. I was able to overcome quite a few things, both mentally and with respect to my technique," she adds.