"Archery has become life" - Purnima Mahato juggles mother duties and coaching role with Olympic medal dream

Padma Shri and Dronacharya Award winner Purnima Mahato recently spoke about the challenges of fulfilling the role of a mother while performing the duties of an archery coach. She now aspires to help India win an Olympic medal when the quadrennial event gets underway on July 26 in Paris.

Having worked for three decades as a coach, Mahato has made a lot of sacrifices. She believes her children have sacrificed more, as they grew up on their own while their mother stayed away and worked toward India's Olympic medal dream.

Purnima’s daughter is 10 while her son is a 17-year-old student. The coach said she hardly gets to spend time with her children.

"We have everything but an Olympic medal. Archery has become life for me. My children grew up on their own and I didn't even realise," Mahato told PTI in an interview.

"I hardly got to spend any time back home all these years with my kids. I left my son (Siddharth) at home when he was not even a year old. He is now all grown up and 17 years old, preparing for his 12th standard board exams. My daughter (Archisa) is 10 years old. It seems they have sacrificed way more than me for this Olympic medal," Mahato added.

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India’s archery team at Paris Olympics 2024

India have a six-member archery team for the showpiece event. Deepika Kumari, Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Bhajan Kaur, and Ankita Bhakat will represent India in Paris.

Deepika and Tarundeep are their most experienced archers as they are taking part in their fourth Olympics. Deepika has also returned to the Olympics after becoming a mother. Ankita, Bhajan, and Dhiraj will be making their debuts.

Pravin took part in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago but lost 0-6 to then-world champion Brady Ellison. He is looking to make amends as India aims to end their wait for a medal in the sport.

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