Exclusive | ‘I will be the biggest fool …’: Olympian Deepika Kumari on criticism, her legacy, and more. More sports news

New Delhi: If the archery is the place where a calm is found in chaos in a heartbeat, then Deepika Kumari has been the most trusted arrow in India for a long time.Last month in Shanghai, he once again proved that his purpose is away from disappearance.“Getting your hands on a medal – I see it as an improvement,” Deepika tells Timesofedia.com after her 18th personal World Cup medal at Stage 2 event.Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!The knockout rounds brought the malignant Koreans, and when Deepika stumbled in the semi-finals against the Olympic champion Lim Sihion, she did not stay down for a long time, dropping former world champion Kong Chaiong 7-3 to secure bronze.

Hungry for one Olympic medal

“I feel very proud. I think I have contributed some to Indian archery. People say,” The archery is known because of you. ” But by the time I win an Olympic medal, I don’t think I have really proved myself, “said the four -time Olympian.Deepika’s participation in the four Olympics has seen the quarter -finals in both Tokyo and Paris versions – she has the best personal finish in today’s games.Needless to say that Heartbrex has often been his partner in the largest stages of the game.The Olympic dream, however, is not a closed chapter.She says, “Working with the Olympic Heartbreak in Paris? I settled the next day. I just moved forward, the next time I play at the Olympics, I will definitely win a medal,” she says, La 2028.

‘If I will be the biggest fool …’

The pressure does not end on the archery range; Away from the field, backlash often occurs – the Olympic expectations of a nation expect fuel that sometimes tip into a rigid decision.In the world of immediate opinion, Deepika has learned to filter the static: “Why do you answer those who do not know anything? If no one knows me, I have not seen the struggle, why worried while reacting?”

Deepika Kumari of India (photo through Getty Image by Dean Alberga/Handout/World Archery Federation)

“They say,” You are just standing and shooting. ” I tell them: You stand for eight hours and add 22 kg force, 350-400 times a day.The weight of the bow itself is 3.5 to 4 kg, and the demands are not just muscle. As experienced says, “You cannot only rely on the strength of the body. You need the control of the mind while pulling the bow – it should be balanced. Without proper training, children are trying to lift themselves very much, very fast today. We believed that rest was not part of training. Now I know how important rest is. ,

New coach, new inspiration

With support from a new coach, Olympian Rahul Banerjee and Reliance Foundation, Deepika is now going upwards from the ground. Yes, even an experienced one needs to go back to the basics, and Deepika is currently doing this.Recalling the days of her early academy, Deepika continues, “In India, we are consistently compared to the Koreans, who had a structured system since childhood. But in our country, there are high expectations, and lack of patience.“Like when I went to an academy, I was told,” If you do not perform within the next six months, you will be removed. ” So it is the same everywhere – limited time, less money.“Then players forget to build the base because they are forced to improve their performance. In India, there is still a lack of knowledge at the ground level, especially about the basics. So I am focusing on the reconstruction of my base with scratches. ,For many people, simply ensuring the game is a mountain, as the latter expensive inflation has barely hit the archery gear.“After Kovid, the cost of the equipment has increased greatly. The cost of a good archery set-up can be around 5.5 lakh INR (about $ 6500). You can get basic equipment for 2 to 2.5 lakhs, but they will not be of international standard,” she explains.

Everyone’s eyes La 2028 Olympics

While La 2028 Olympics may still be removed some chapters, Deepika is excited about the onset of compound archery – a discipline where Indian archers have excelled over the years.“If the possibility of a medal increases, our country benefits,” she says.Also Read: Indian Farm Girl who lifted a gun at the age of 13, is now fixing the Olympic Heartbreak: Maheshwari Chauhan Story“In compound archery, we shoot with trigger and more mechanical help. In the recurve, it is all manual. Even a small mistake can cost a lot. In the compound, the trigger helps.”Nevertheless, before LA, Deepika’s focus is on the remaining World Cup, National Tests and Asian Games next year.“My coaches and I am trying a new approach. We are combining her experience with our style. I want to be a senior world champion,” she says.