Kolkata: Indian Archer Star Deepika Kumari said the failure to win a medal in the last two Olympics would “play in his mind” but he tried to stay away from negative emotions when he went to the Tokyo match.
The 27-year-old child from Ranchi will go to the Olympics as World No.
1, similar to 2012 when he has risen to the position of the pole in front of the London match.
However, Deepika can’t meet expectations, making the exit first.
The Rio game was no different because he made 16 exit in the individual and lost to Russia in the team quarter-finals.
“I don’t want to repeat again.
Then, it will play in my mind and there will be some pressure in my mind,” he told PTI, the day before leaving for Tokyo.
“So, it’s about trying my best to keep myself free of all the negative thoughts and take a little pressure.
It’s about focusing only on my shooting.” Deepika was in the form of the peak of his career, reaching number 1 after winning the two individual World Cup gold medals this year.
“When a nearby day and the countdown starts, the pressure accumulates.
So, it’s about mental adjustment and how to maintain tranquility and not nervous,” he said.
“I basically focus on thoughts and techniques, play more individual matches and teams than just practice.” Deepika and her husband, the Das is the hope of the Best Indian Olympic medal in the mixed partner competition.
However, the pair of Indian archery power has turned into a ‘most fierce rival’ leading to the Tokyo game.
Finding himself as a woman’s archer alone in the Indian camp after a woman’s team failed to cut, Deepika had used the next best choice – compete with her husband.
“It’s better for me, I tried my best to shoot better than they always.
In fact, I win most times,” Deepika said.
This duo will be the first Indian partner to take part in the same event at the Olympics.
Deepika said Asan now doubled as a “coach-mentor” when they pursued India’s dreams that were difficult to understand to win the first Olympic medal in Archery.
“He has become a full time coach today.
Or have become a big support, he continues to guide me, motivates me.
Of course, coach of our team (Meme Bahadur Gurung sir) exists, but the guidance of Aatan is a constant support.” Not only Asan, Deepika competes with the three team members who are tied to Tokyo, and trainees at the Army Sports Institute in Pune.
It all happened after the World Cup in Paris last month where Deepika’s women’s trio, Ankita Bhakat and Komalika Bari failed to qualify for the Olympics as the team as world number one found himself as breastfed archer.
“I remain the only woman here in the camp so I decided to play knock-out fits them.
I just played against a male team,” he said.
“You haven’t experimented much at the last moment.
It’s about fine-tuning and polishing, so match exercises are the best practices at the moment.”