HITTING THE BULLS EYE

India’s performance in the world arena, when it comes to archery, has improved steadily with an ever-increasing number of Indian archers emerging winner at international events. Among the more illustrious of them is Arjuna awardee Rajat Chauhan.

- Joseph Rozario

Given the competitive environment we live in, youngsters are almost always compelled to pursue academics, without giving them much choice to find their true calling. This is especially so in our country where sports is still to be given the importance it deserves. Star archer Rajat Chauhan, who has done the nation proud by winning numerous medals at international events, serves as an eye-opener.

A rising star

Rajat Chauhan was born in a middle-class family in Sanganer, in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan, in 1994. Unlike most other children, he didn’t seem to be cut out for academics, however, and so he enlisted for archery at a young age to escape the drudgery of studies. Little did he realise then that one day he would be a champion bowman.

A natural talent saw Chauhan take part in a state-level archery tournament while still in school. He narrowly missed winning a medal, however. A crestfallen Chauhan then decided to take his game more seriously and do better the next time, and true enough he did, winning two medals at a subsequent open statelevel meet. After that, there was no looking back.

Chauhan then started training under coach Kamlesh Sharma and ex-Olympian Limba Ram—this was in 2007—to get through the Indian Round trials, where bamboo bows and arrows are used. This done, he went on to compete at the SGFI National School Games, where he won a silver and a bronze medal.