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India’s archery contingent is brimming with confidence ahead of the Paris Olympics, with ace archer Deepika Kumari expressing optimism about their chances. The team’s strength lies in its clear communication and unwavering support for each other, especially in challenging situations.

Deepika, a veteran of three Olympic Games, emphasized the importance of effective communication. “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,” she said.

Ankita Bhakat, who will be fulfilling her lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics, echoed Deepika’s sentiments. “Since I started archery, I have always dreamt of playing in the Olympics. Now, that dream is coming true. In past World Cups, we rarely played podium matches, but this time it’s different. We learned from our early setbacks and improved significantly. Our performance has been consistently better in each competition, and I believe we will perform well at the Olympics,” Bhakat stated.

Bhajan Kaur, another member of the women’s team, highlighted the importance of self-belief and giving their best effort. “My performance at the second World Cup was much better than the first one, so I started feeling victorious about my progress since the first World Cup. 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,” Kaur said.

Bhakat also acknowledged the invaluable experience of having Deepika Kumari in the team. “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,” she explained.

Bhajan added, “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.”

Deepika, one of India’s most decorated archers, has been a beacon of excellence in the sport. The former World No.1 archer has won medals in World Cups, Asian Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships, and the Asian Games.