Kolkata: Star Indian archer Deepika Kumari has said that her failure to win medals in the last two Olympics will ‘play on her mind’. However, Deepika Kumari asserted that she ‘is trying to stay away from the negative emotions’. She wants to forget the past as she heads to the Tokyo Olympics.
The 27-year-old from Ranchi is going to the Olympics as a World No 1. It is similar to 2012 when she had climbed to the pole position ahead of the London Olympics.
However, Deepika could not live up to the expectation, making a first-round exit. Rio Olympics was no different as she made a last 16 exit in individual and lost to Russia in team quarterfinals.
“I don’t want a repeat anymore. It’s past but yes, that will play on my mind. There would be some pressure on the back of my mind,” Deepika said Friday, a day before leaving for Tokyo. “So, it’s about trying my best to keep myself free of all those negative thoughts and take less pressure. It’s about focusing just on my shooting,” added the archer.
Deepika is in the peak form of her career. She has attained the No. 1 ranking after winning two individual World Cup gold medals this year. “As the day nears and countdown begins, pressure builds up. So, it’s about mentally tuning and how to keep calm and don’t get unsettled,” Deepika pointed out. “I’m basically focusing on mind and technique, rather than just practice,” the archer added.
Deepika and her husband Atanu Das are India’s best Olympic medal hope in the mixed pair competition. However, the power couple of Indian archery has turned into ‘fiercest rivals’ now.
Deepika is the only female archer in the Indian camp after the women’s team failed to make the cut. So Deepika has resorted to the next best option – competing with her husband Atanu.
“It’s better for me. I’m trying my best to shoot better than them always. In fact, I’m winning most of the times,” Deepika said with a smile. The duo will be the first Indian couple to take part in the same event in an Olympic Games.
Deepika said Atanu is now doubling up as ‘coach-mentor’ as they chase India’s dream of winning first-ever Olympic medal in archery. “He has become my full time coach these days. Atanu has been a big support, he keeps guiding me, motivating me. Of course, our team coach (Mim Bahadur Gurung Sir) is there, but Atanu’s guidance is a constant support,” Deepika informed.
