Will not retire till I get Olympic medal: Deepika Kumari | Paris Olympics 2024 Information – Occasions of India

NEW DELHI: Deepika Kumari, a extremely embellished archer with quite a few World Cup medals, has constantly fallen wanting expectations in her 4 Olympic appearances. Regardless of her disappointing performances on the largest stage, she stays decided to proceed her pursuit of an Olympic podium end. Deepika believes that her second of glory may doubtlessly arrive on the Los Angeles Olympics in 4 years.
“Clearly, I wish to play extra sooner or later and can proceed my recreation,” Deepika informed PTI in an unique interplay on the India Home in Paris.
“I actually wish to win an Olympic medal, and I will not stop till I obtain that. I will practice more durable and are available again strongly,” added Deepika, who has received each worldwide medal apart from an Olympic yellow metallic.
“Firstly, I’ll current myself extra strongly. There are various issues, like fast taking pictures, that I must study a bit extra about, and it is essential to coach myself accordingly.
“What I realized from the Olympics is that late taking pictures would not work; you haven’t any room to make large errors, so you must management that. I’ll study that from right here,” she mentioned in hindsight.
Deepika, 30, made a triumphant return to the Olympic stage in Paris, marking her fourth consecutive look on the prestigious occasion. This achievement was significantly noteworthy because it adopted her journey into motherhood, with the start of her daughter in December 2022.
Having confirmed her mettle by securing the highest spot within the nationwide choice trials, Deepika additional showcased her prowess on the worldwide stage, clinching a person gold medal on the World Cup held in Shanghai in April.
Regardless of her familiarity with the venue, the place she had beforehand garnered quite a few World Cup accolades, the immense stress of the Olympic area took its toll.
Deepika entered the primary draw because the 23rd seed, regardless of being ranked beneath her Indian counterparts, Ankita Bhakat and Bhajan Kaur, who have been additionally making their debut. With a rating of 658, she discovered herself 36 factors behind the Korean high seed and eventual champion, Lim Sihyeon.
Within the crew occasion, Deepika struggled to search out her footing, and the Indian crew was swiftly defeated by the Netherlands of their first-round encounter.
Undeterred by the setback, Deepika showcased her resilience within the particular person class. She fought her approach by means of three difficult matches, finally securing a spot within the quarterfinals, proving her willpower to succeed.
Going through Korean archer Nam Suhyeon, whom she had beforehand defeated within the Shanghai World Cup semifinal, Deepika took an early two-set lead. Nonetheless, she couldn’t keep her momentum, taking pictures into the 7-point purple ring because the Korean teenager rallied to a 6-Four victory.
Nam went on to safe a silver medal, dropping to her extra favored teammate Lim within the remaining.
Wanting again on the outcome, Deepika mentioned: “I used to be not nervous. I used to be taking part in strongly, however one shot (the 7-point) actually went fallacious, and that was the explanation I misplaced the match. Total, it was an excellent expertise.”
Deepika almost ran out of time to shoot her arrow, releasing it with simply two seconds left on the clock. This probably contributed to it touchdown within the purple ring, highlighting the significance of “fast taking pictures,” one thing she’s conscious she wants to enhance.
It was one other quarterfinal exit for Deepika, just like her loss to eventual gold medalist An San of Korea in straight units on the Tokyo Olympics three years in the past.
So, what are the three areas she must concentrate on?
“To maintain myself calm; to focus extra on my taking pictures kind and focus; and at last, to benefit from the recreation totally when I’ve time,” she mentioned.
Along with her sights set on LA 2028, Deepika mentioned: “Within the subsequent Olympics, I wish to be mentally stronger and win a medal. I actually wish to win an Olympic medal.”
The archers didn’t have the India sports activities psychologist Gayatri Vartak current till simply earlier than the combined crew occasion, as a consequence of a delayed visa.
“No, I do not assume it performed any function in our efficiency. We stayed in contact along with her and talked to her repeatedly. It isn’t a difficulty on this case,” she signed off.