A year-long plan to bolster India’s archery contingent has culminated in a triumphant return to the Olympics after a 12-year hiatus. Both the men’s and women’s teams have secured berths for the Paris 2024 Games, a feat last achieved in the 2012 London Olympics.
The journey to Paris has been marked by meticulous preparation and strategic participation in various global and continental events. The Archery Association of India (AAI) meticulously crafted a plan, dividing archers into teams for international competitions, aiming to garner crucial world ranking points. While individual archers like Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari qualified for the 2016 Rio and Tokyo Olympics respectively, the teams’ qualification hinges on their collective performance.
India’s commendable results in several events, including the World Cup Stages and Asian Games, played a pivotal role in their ascent through the world rankings. The men’s team, led by the consistent Dhiraj, amassed 238 points, clinching the top spot amongst non-qualified nations. The women’s team, boasting a blend of experience and emerging talent, collected 191 points, securing their place in the top ranks.
With their Olympic tickets secured, India is poised to compete in all five archery events in Paris: men’s and women’s individual and team events, as well as the mixed team competition. The focus now shifts to honing the archers’ ability to handle pressure in crucial match situations. The AAI has decided to stick with the experienced trio of Dhiraj, Rai, and Jadhav for the men’s team and the established combination of Deepika, Ankita, and Bhajan for the women’s team.
Dhiraj’s recent bronze medal at the World Cup Stage-3, surpassing Olympic silver medalist Mauro Nespoli, instills confidence for the Paris Games. The Indian archers will undergo final preparations at the Army Sports Institute, Pune, before heading to Paris for the Olympic showdown. The upcoming months will be crucial as the team works towards their ultimate goal: to make their presence felt on the world stage and bring home coveted medals.
