Deepika KUMARI: “I want to accomplish something unique”

Deepika KUMARI is the only recurve female archer to have qualified for the last four editions of the World Cup Final

This season, Deepika led the team from India to back-to back gold medals at the Medellin and Wroclaw World Cup stages, bringing her personal medal tally to 16 in just four World Cup seasons. Individually, she climbed the podium only one time during the current season, with a second place finish at the Shanghai World Cup. It was enough to earn qualification for her fourth World Cup Final in as many tries.

Going back three years before when you reached your first World Cup Final, how did you prepare and entered this competition with only 16 years old amongst the best archers in the world?
It is very different because at the time I still didn’t know much about archery. I was still a junior and lacked confidence. With time I have gained a lot of experience and confidence. I now understand how things work. I am feeling very good here in the World Cup Final. The competition site is very impressive, and very good archers present.

Then you won the silver medals in the last two Finals. What has changed since your first Final?
For me, no matter if I win or lose, I always try to learn something from the experience. In every competition, I take everything very confidently and try to improve my shooting.

Is the gold medal the real objective this year in Paris?
No, I never think about winning the gold medal: I always try to do my best and shoot consistently as I do in practice.

In your quarter-finals match you will face Aída ROMAN. Despite both of you are part of the leading recurve archers since a few years, you never played against each other in an individual encounter. How do you imagine this match against Aída?
Yes, Aída is a very good competitor. She’s my senior and more experienced than me. I think that more than anything else I will enjoy this match!

With an individual silver medal and additional four medals with your team and in the mixed team, are you globally happy with your World Cup season so far?
I feel very good about our team results, but not as much about my individual performance. I have changed my technique, I am gaining confidence and improving; I understand my flaws. At the last two competitions my individual results were so bad. We’ll see how things go here.

The World Championships in Belek Antalya come immediately after the World Cup Final. How will you make the transition and what are your expectations?
I will go back to India for three or four days between the World Cup Final and the World Championships. Last year I did not manage to win a gold medal. This year, in both events my goal is to make the final.

How is your relation with media and fans in general in India?
Good. I am nervous when the media ask questions for which I don’t have answers. As for fans, I have many in India, they recognise me on the street. I have always wanted to be famous, not just in my country but in the whole world. I want to accomplish something unique, going to two or three Olympic Games and win an Olympic gold medal. The media and the fans are supporting me in this way.

Do you feel the pressure and encouragements of people in your country?
It is only motivation. I don’t feel pressure. I just want to be on the shooting line, play the match with confidence and enjoy it.

Can you imagine your future life without archery?
Yes. I could study like a lot of other archers. My mother has always dreamed for me to become a doctor. Down the road, I think I will start medical studies. But I still plan to stay in archery for 10, 15 or 20 more years? She smiles…

Go to Deepika KUMARI's biography.

World Archery Communication