Ranchi: Seventeen-year-old Komalika Bari, who defeated Japan’s Sonoda Waka in the recurve cadet women’s final at the 2019 World Archery Youth Championships in Madrid to win her first major event, has returned to home soil. Interestingly, she became the third Indian archer to hold a world title.
Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, the golden girl shared her experience during the Fit India event organised at Ranchi.
"Worked hard for the tournament"
Speaking on her preparations for the event, Komalika stated that she had worked extremely hard for the tournament. She earlier had a target to improve her past performances which she did. However, she now recognises that with this win people's expectations on her will be more and thus she would have to continue working hard to strive excellence.
"Father never made me realise that we are suffering from financial crisis"
On being asked whether she and her family ever faced any financial difficulties while playing the sport, Komalika said that although her family faced the crisis several times, however, her father never made her realise of the same and dealt with it himself.
"Listen to what the coach tells and work hard on the same"
Bari urged the youngsters to work hard on their game and follow religiously to whatever the coach tells. She further stated that one needs to work hard on whatever the coach tells as it will eventually help them in their career.
After Deepika Kumari – who was the first one to win the title in 2009 — the teenage archer is the third Indian archer and second recurve cadet (under-18) world champion to achieve this feat. India’s three world champions have all been in youth categories. Apart from Komalika and Deepika, Palton Hansda clinched gold in the compound junior men’s event at the 2006 World Archery Youth Championships in Merida, Mexico.
