Archery: 'Team bonding' in quarantine could help India in last Qualifiers, says Deepika Kumari
The world number three Deepika, who has already qualified for Olympics in the individual recurve category, has a different challenge this time though. As the senior-most archer, she has to bring out the best from her team, comprising teenager Komalika Bari and fast-improving Ankita Bhakat — the only change to the team that missed out on the team quota from the World Championships in 2019.
“Normally, I stay aloof and take time to gel with the juniors but during this quarantine in Vichy, we would spend hours together after practice,” the senior-most Indian archer told PTI from Paris, ahead of their women’s team Final Qualifier for Tokyo Olympics on Sunday.
“Transparency hona chaiye team game mein (transparency is key to team’s success) and I think it is helping us tremendously. I’m happy with the team coordination. We understand each other very well now.”
“As a senior-most member of the team, the priority for me is to remain confident all the time so that it rubs off on them. Acha karna hai aur karwana bhi hai (I’ve to do well myself and also help bring out the best from them). It’s my duty,” Deepika, who is bound for her third successive Olympics, said.
The women’s team checked in ahead of the men’s and compound teams and entered a bio-secure bubble in Vichy, about 400kms from the venue Stade Charlety in Paris but they were allowed to practice.
“It’s their first time and it’s natural for them to be nervous. I don’t want my team to miss out after one poor round. My role will always be to push them and take them to a zone so that they can give their best for qualification,” Deepika, who recently turned 27, said.
