"It's about achieving what we worked for" - Paris-bound Deepika Kumari shares incredible story of her turnaround
Deepika Kumari is part of the Indian contingent for the 2024 Summer Olympics in the Archery division. In a recent interview, she opened up about her daughter and how she has managed to prepare herself for the big event.
Deepika has made it to the Olympics while managing her personal life and working hard to practice archery for the Summer Olympics 2024.
"It's difficult to explain the pain of being away from my daughter. But it is also about achieving what we have worked for so many years," said Deepika in an interview with PTI.
She also said that she misses her 19-month-old daughter, but her daughter has been supportive of Deepika's professional life. Deepika met her daughter at the Army Sports Institute in Pune before leaving for Paris.
Deepika Kumari is married to Atanu Das, who is also an international archer. The couple were blessed with a baby girl in December 2022. It was a difficult time for Deepika as she struggled to come back to Archery after the birth of her daughter. She was unable to pick the 19-kg bow, and that became a challenge in itself.
"We had planned for the delivery in such a way that we would be able to compete in Paris," said Deepika in the same interview.
However, she also mentioned that after the delivery, the training became more difficult. It was her hard work and dedication that led her to gain confidence and start preparing for the big event.
Deepika Kumari - India's hope for a medal in Paris Olympics 2024
Born in Ranchi, Deepika has come a long way in her life. From aiming for mangoes with stones to becoming a part of her third Olympic event - the journey has been through many ups and downs. Deepika started her training at Arjun Archery Academy at Kharsawan. However, her biggest step was to join Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur, where she started getting her professional training.
Her major achievement came in 2009 as she won the 11th Youth World Archery Championship held in Ogden, Utah. In 2010, Kumari won two gold medals at the Common Wealth Games held in Delhi. In 2012, Deepika Kumari made headlines by winning her first World Cup in Antalya, Turkey, and won a gold medal.
London Olympics was her debut on the big stage, but unfortunately, she lost to Amy Oliver from Great Britain. Then, she was also part of the Rio Olympics, but the Indian women's recursive team finished 7th. The Paris Olympics will be her third participation, and she is hopeful to win big this year.