NEW DELHI
India’s remarkable performance at the recent Asian Games held in Hangzhou 2022 has left the nation in awe. With an extraordinary haul of medals, including a record-breaking number of gold medals, India has firmly solidified its position as a rising force in the world of sports. However, it is important to delve into the astounding achievements of Indian athletes and to shed light upon how the country’s sporting landscape has experienced a remarkable transformation. Indian archers have consistently showcased their prowess at the Asian Games, but the 2022 edition has witnessed an unprecedented feat. With three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze, the Indian archery team has carved its name in history. It has taken close to a decade for an Indian archer to hit the bull’s eye at the Asian Games; a period of time that would seem, not without reason, too long and too overdrawn for any aficionado of Indian culture.
Archery has its rich historical roots deeply embedded in Indian culture. While the utilization of bow-and-arrow has been extensively documented throughout mankind’s history, Indian mythology is replete with tales of legendary warriors and gods renowned for their exceptional archery skills. Legends such as Eklavya, Karna, Abhimanyu, Arjuna, Bhishma, Drona, Rama, and Shiva have left an indelible mark with their extraordinary prowess in archery. The Mahabharata, the renowned ancient Indian epic, vividly portrays various archery skills; including the famous competition where warriors aimed to hit the eye of a rotating fish while observing its reflection in a water bowl during the Swayamvara of Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada.
In modern times, archery has been transformed into a highly competitive sport. It made its debut at the Olympic Games in the early 1900s and was officially included as a permanent sport in 1972. This transformation has made archery accessible to a wide range of individuals by crossing boundaries between both developed and developing nations. A remarkable aspect of archery is its inclusive nature. It is a sport that can also be practiced and pursued by athletes with impairments as it provides them with an equal platform to compete alongside able-bodied individuals. Archery’s level-playing field allows athletes to showcase their skills and compete on an equal footing, regardless of their physical factors.
Thus, it is in such a rich vein of historical, mythological, and current context that it becomes even more important to highlight the exceptional performances of these Indian athletes, by tracing their journey from previous Asian Games to their triumphant moment in 2023. Before Asia Games 2022, India had only ever won four silvers, five bronze, and a solitary gold medal. Incheon 2014 was the only edition of the Asian Games where India (Men’s Compound team) had hit the bull’s eye for the first time ever. However, the current 16-member strong Indian archer’s contingent has stormed Hangzhou like no other before them. With five gold medals, two silver, and two bronze medals totalling 9 medals in all. These elite archers namely Abhishek Verma, Prathamesh Jawkar, Ojas Pravin Deotale, Vennam Jyothi Surekha, Parneet Kaur, Aditi Gopichand Swamy, Ankita Bhakat, Simranjeet Kaur, Bhajan Kaur, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Atanu Das, and Tushar Shelke, have firmly enshrined themselves in the never-ending league of the legends that have been fabled in Indian folklore since times immemorial.
Consequently, India’s overall medal tally at the Asian Games has reached the 107-medal mark, a significant milestone for the country. The diversity of sports across which Indian athletes perform is certainly notable: archery, athletics, wrestling, shooting, and badminton. However, while we celebrate the achievement of winning over 100 medals at the Asian Games, we must also ensure that we shed light and emphasize upon India’s ambitions and due processes to be recognized as a global sporting powerhouse. The remarkable success at the Asian Games is a testament to the immense talent and dedication of our athletes. It showcases their ability to compete at the highest level and bring glory to the nation. As we move forward, it is crucial to build on this achievement and focus on long-term development and infrastructure in sports. By investing in training facilities, coaching programs, and sports academies, we can nurture the next generation of athletes and create a sustainable pipeline of talent. Additionally, it is essential to promote a sporting culture and encourage participation in various disciplines, not just limited to the traditional ones. This will not only help in diversifying our medal tally but also ensure that our athletes are well-rounded and versatile. With continued support and strategic planning, India has the potential to become a force to reckon with in the international sporting arena.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of sports has been instrumental in India’s success at the Asian Games this year. His emphasis on promoting an athletic culture and providing the necessary infrastructure for sports has created an environment conducive to the growth and development of athletes and sportspersons. Undoubtedly, this has played a significant role in the remarkable medal haul at the Asian Games. The Indian archers have favourably led the way in securing glory in gold for India. With the encouragement and support of the President of the Archery Association of India, and the Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri. Arjun Munda, the road to victory has been joyous and smooth for these young archers. It could be hoped that it will continue to be so in the future as well so that it will not take another decade to have another tryst with the bull’s eye at the Asian games.