From Skepticism to Stardom: Kirti Sharma's Journey to the Asian Games
Coaches felt Kirti Sharma was too thin to hold a bow, now she’s headed to Asiad
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Kirti Sharma, a young archer from Ritoli village in Jind district, Haryana, India, overcame initial skepticism about her physique to top the trials for the Indian women's recurve team for the Asian Games. With support from her father and dedicated training, she transformed her skills and is now aiming for a gold medal at the event.
- 01Kirti Sharma's father took a loan of ₹60,000 (approximately $720 USD) to buy her a recurve bow, showcasing his commitment to her archery career.
- 02Initially deemed too thin for archery, Kirti faced significant challenges, including a lack of nutrition and support, before being selected for the Sports Authority of India (SAI) academy.
- 03Under the guidance of coach Udham Singh, Kirti underwent a rigorous training regimen that focused on strength building and technique improvement.
- 04Her breakthrough came with a bronze medal at the National Games, leading to her debut in the Asia Cup and subsequent success in junior nationals.
- 05Kirti topped the final trials with 13.5 points, defeating established archers including her idol, Deepika Kumari, and is now preparing for the Asian Games.
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Kirti Sharma, hailing from Ritoli village in Jind district, Haryana, India, has emerged as a promising archer after overcoming significant challenges. Initially dismissed by coaches for being too thin, Kirti's father, Vijay Kumar, took a loan of ₹60,000 (approximately $720 USD) to purchase her a recurve bow, demonstrating his unwavering support for her passion. With limited resources and a challenging background, Kirti's journey began when she was introduced to archery by coach Udham Singh, who later helped her gain strength and technique at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) academy in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
Her perseverance paid off when she won a bronze medal at the National Games, which propelled her into international competitions, including the Asia Cup. She finished fourth in the final trials, defeating seasoned competitors, including her idol, Deepika Kumari. Kirti now looks forward to the Asian Games, viewing it as a significant opportunity to showcase her talent and aims to bring home a gold medal, inspired by the success of renowned archers like Lim Si-hyeon from Korea.
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Kirti's success story serves as an inspiration for young athletes in rural India, highlighting the importance of support and perseverance in sports.
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