Indian Archery Duo’s Olympic Quest

In their quest for an elusive Olympic medal, Indian archery power couple Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das have embarked on a transformative journey, seeking the guidance of Korean coaching legend Kim Hyung-Tak. The duo, grappling with form struggles since the Tokyo Olympics, have left their 11-month-old daughter behind to immerse themselves in rigorous training at the Hyung-Tak Archery Training Centre in South Korea’s Chungbuk province.

Former world No. 1 and three-time Olympian Deepika, who embraced motherhood in December last year, is determined to reclaim her spot in the Indian team. Despite facing challenges, she showcased her enduring talent by clinching two gold medals and a team silver at the recent Goa National Games.

Meanwhile, Atanu, a two-time Olympian, faced setbacks in qualifying for the Olympic-qualifying Asian Championships but remains committed to the pursuit of Olympic glory. The rising competition, including young archer Dhiraj Bommadevara, has intensified the couple’s resolve.

In a three-week training stint sponsored by Olympic Gold Quest, the couple faces freezing conditions, training from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm under Hyung-Tak’s tutelage. Deepika, highlighting the sacrifices made as a mother, expressed her burning desire for an Olympic medal, motivating her separation from her daughter.

Describing this phase as the “toughest” in her career, Deepika emphasized the physical challenges post-pregnancy but noted her regained fitness and consistent target precision. Atanu praised Hyung-Tak’s coaching, calling it high-tech and effective, focusing on maintaining consistency.

This marks Atanu’s third time seeking the guidance of the Korean coach, who has a wealth of experience dating back to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. With over five decades of coaching experience, Hyung-Tak has been instrumental in the success of archers from Korea to Chinese Taipei.

Deepika remains confident about her comeback, signifying the enriching experience under Hyung-Tak’s guidance. The Korean coach continues to impact the global archery scene, emphasizing consistency and excellence in his training methodologies.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Republic TV English