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Kirti Sharma Leads India to Historic Asian Games Archery Gold

Kirti Sharma Leads India to Historic Asian Games Archery Gold
Once deemed too skinny to lift a bow, Kirti helps Indian archers topple a colossus at Asian Games · indianexpress.com

Kirti Sharma once found it difficult to lift and draw an archery bow because she was very thin and weak.

Coaches first rejected her when they visited her village in Haryana.

She received another chance three years later and joined an archery academy.

Her coaches helped her build strength and improve how she held and released the bow.

Nutritionists also helped her change her diet.

At the Asian Games, Kirti competed with Kumkum Mohod and Ankita Bhakat for India.

They beat the strong South Korean team by a score of 5-2.

This was India’s first Asian Games gold medal in recurve archery.

The team won despite difficult wind conditions.

Key facts

Event
Asian Games women’s recurve archery team final
Result
India defeated South Korea 5-2
Indian team
Kirti Sharma, Kumkum Mohod and Ankita Bhakat
Historic achievement
India’s first Asian Games gold in recurve archery
Kirti’s age
19
Early challenge
Kirti was initially considered too thin and lacked the strength to draw the bow
Preparation
Coaches and nutritionists worked on her strength, diet, shoulder stability and shooting form
Conditions
Treacherous winds affected the archery ranges

Quotes

Vijay Sharma

Kirti Sharma’s father

“Initially I had rejected Kirti due to her thin body frame, but some years later, when we visited the village again, we selected her. We had to work a lot on her strength and to make her body in alignment with the bow motion.”
indianexpress.com
“Food wasn’t a problem as per normal standards. But I used to eat less than what a sportswoman requires. I was always lean, so I had to change my diet.”
indianexpress.com

Sources

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