"We are confident about our chances" - Deepika Kumari on archery team’s Paris 2024 Olympics medal hopes
As the Paris 2024 Olympics draws near, the Indian women’s archery team led by Deepika Kumari have set their eyes on winning the first-ever Olympic medal in sport for the country. Former World No. 1 Deepika Kumari is confident that the three-person women’s archery contingent will be successful in their mission of bringing home a medal.
The star of the women's contingent is certainly Kumari, who will be appearing at the Olympic Games for the fourth time. The other two members are 2022 Asian Games bronze medalists Bhajan Kaur and Ankita Bhakat.
Having a balanced team of experience and youth has helped to maintain proper communication within the team.
“The strength of any team lies in its communication and combination. It’s essential to support each other in various situations. We talk a lot and discuss how to handle different scenarios. Clear communication, especially in tough situations, is a huge strength for us. We are confident about our chances at the Olympics,“ Deepika said in an interview on JioCinema’s “The Dreamers”.
"It’s a great advantage" - Ankita Bhakat lauds Deepika Kumari's experience for Paris 2024 Olympics medal push
Bhajan Kaur, 18, is the youngest member of the archery contingent. She is confident that the women’s archery team will not come back empty-handed from Paris.
“Whenever we go for a tournament, we focus on giving our best, no matter the magnitude of the tournament. Our aim is to leave no stones unturned for the Olympics as well and we are confident that we will return from Paris with a medal,” she said.
Ankita Bhakat had similar opinions on the archery team's chance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“Our performance has been consistently better in each competition, and I believe we will perform well at the Olympics,” she said. “I know what level of performance I’m capable of. When I give my 100%, the medal will surely follow.”
However, for the Indian women’s archery team to win any medal, having a four-time Olympian like Deepika Kumar is vital.
“It’s a great advantage that Deepika is going to the Olympics for the fourth time. She understands the challenges we might face in Paris,” Bhakat said.
“Deepika’s experience, along with Ankita’s, is our biggest strength. They help us understand and rectify any issues in our game. Our ability to communicate and support each other is crucial," she added.
The Indian women’s archery team will start their Paris Olympics 2024 journey on July 25, one day before the opening ceremony.