September 08, 2024

The Asia Archery Cup was held in Bangkok last week. Indian archers performed exceedingly well and finished joint first with Russia. India won three gold medals.

Like in shooting, archery too brought to fore the way women sportspersons are outshining their male counterparts. Muskan Kirar won gold in women’s compound event while Pramila Daimatry won the same in the recurve event. Kirar later picked a bronze in women’s compound team event, while Madhu Vedwan got the same in recurve. The Indian men’s team comprising Akash, Gora Ho and Gaurav Lambe won the gold in recurve team event.

The wins by Muskan and Pramila cement the brilliance shown by Deepika Kumari who reached the number one position in the world. It proves that Indian women are now becoming feared opponents in every competition. It also augurs well for India’s chances at the Commonwealth Games and with a little more focus and world class training, at the Olympics.

Although the men’s team won as a team, their performance in individual events was not up to the mark, with only Gaurav Lambe winning bronze in recurve.

But Jharkhand teenager Gora Ho displayed outstanding skill and temperament when he won gold as part of the team in the recurve team event. His story, apart from being inspiring to upcoming sportspersons, is the perfect way budding talent should be spotted, financed and encouraged to bring laurels to the country.

Spotted in one of Jharkhand’s many archery schools, Gora was picked up and trained, first at Arjuna Archery Academy in Kharswan and then at Dugni Academy in Seraikela. When medals started pouring in, the government chipped in with state-of-the-art equipment, including a world-class bow that cost Rs 2.7 lakh. The investment has paid off well and Gora is now ready to take on the best in the world.