17-Year-Old Archer Aditi Swami Makes History

Aditi Swami, a 17-year-old archer, has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the youngest-ever senior world champion in archery and the first Indian to win an individual compound gold medal at the World Archery Championships. Her journey to success was fueled by the unwavering support and sacrifices of her family.

Swami’s rapid rise in the archery world is awe-inspiring. Just two months after becoming the junior world champion, she displayed exceptional determination and skill in a tense final match against Mexico’s Andrea Becerra. With a narrow victory of 149-147 in Berlin, Aditi Swami secured the compound women’s gold medal.

Aditi’s achievements also extended to the team event, where she, along with her compatriots Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Parneet Kaur, clinched the gold medal in the women’s compound team category. This victory is historic for India, marking the nation’s first gold in this category.

Aditi’s journey began in Satara, a city near her village, where her father Gopichand, a dedicated government school math teacher, played a crucial role in supporting her pursuit of excellence. To provide better sporting opportunities, Gopichand moved the family to the city, nurturing Aditi Swami passion for sports.

At 12, Aditi’s encounter with archery changed her life. She joined a coaching program under Pravin Sawant’s mentorship, revealing her natural talent. The Covid-19 pandemic posed further obstacles, disrupting Aditi’s training routine. Undeterred, she improvised by creating a practice area at home and continued training diligently. Her dedication paid off when tournaments resumed, showcasing her talent and securing victories.
Re-reported from the article originally published in SheThePeople