In pursuit of an elusive Olympic medal for India in archery, energy couple Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das have left their 11-month-old daughter behind to search out misplaced kind and hone their abilities below the legendary coach Kim Hyung-Tak, at a South Korean countryside. The duo, who’ve struggled to search out their mojo because the Tokyo Olympics, have been tenting on the Hyung-Tak Archery Training Centre at Goesan Gun in Chungbuk province in freezing chilly situations since November 11. The goal is to iron out their flaws in a single last push earlier than subsequent yr’s Olympics.

Having embraced motherhood in December final yr, the previous world No 1 and three-time Olympian Deepika is struggling to return to the Indian staff. But regardless that she has gone by an upheaval, Deepika has not misplaced kind utterly. Upon her return on the Goa National Games earlier this month, she secured two gold medals and one staff silver.

The two-time Olympian Atanu, who gained a staff silver on the Asian Games final month, has been out and in of the Indian staff and lately didn’t qualify for the Olympic-qualifying Asian Championships in Bangkok.

The competitors has additionally grow to be stiff with the rise of younger crop, together with Army teenager Dhiraj Bommadevara, who bagged the solitary Olympic quota for Paris 2024.

But for the power-couple who as soon as reigned the Indian archery, it’s now or by no means, and they aren’t prepared to surrender simply but.

“Abhi bhi Olympic medal ko leke ek bhookh aur lalach hai (The hunger and desire to win the elusive Olympic medal is very much intact,” Deepika, who has gained each world title besides an Olympics medal, advised PTI from South Korea.

“I’ve been faltering at crucial moments of a match and his training is quite effective in fixing this and bring about consistency,” she stated whereas sharing her expertise of coaching with Hyung-Tak.

It’s her love for archery and burning want for an Olympic medal which motivated tremendous mother Deepika to stay away from her daughter.

The three-week stint, sponsored by Olympic Gold Quest, is the longest interval that she has spent away from her youngster.

“From very early, we have raised her to stay without much fuss (while being) away from us. I had previously left her for a week during the national trials in Sonipat and she adapted well.

“This time marks the longest separation, and fortuitously, every little thing has been going easily. She stays snug, even with occasional video calls,” Deepika said.

Terming this as the ‘toughest phase’ of her career, the multiple World Cup gold medallist said: “The physique actually provides up after being pregnant, however I’ve been placing my greatest (effort) and have regained full health. I’ve additionally began discovering the targets constantly now.”

‘A fulfilling and busy schedule’

Under freezing cold of minus 2 degree centigrade, the day begins at 8.30am. Deepika and Das train till around 7.30pm with one-hour lunch break in between.

“It’s been a loopy schedule and we hardly get time to verify telephone, however it’s been fairly fulfilling,” Atanu said.

“Earlier, there could be 8-10 trainees. Now it is solely us, we’re getting his full time,” said Atanu while sharing his experience with the South Korean coach.

“He’s an ocean of data and each prime archer has, sooner or later, sought his assist. His coaching may be very high-tech and efficient that primarily deal with sustaining consistency.” In fact, for Atanu, this is for a third time that he has sought guidance of the Korean great, who has always given the Indian archer a magic mantra.

“The first (occasion) was in 2015 after I made a comeback to make a debut within the Rio Olympics. I additionally had two brief stints below him in 2017 and 2018. Every prime archer comes right here to hunt his ‘divine blessings’. Hope it does it for us this time,” he added.

The road ahead

India have a solitary Olympic berth in men’s individual section courtesy Dhiraj. The final Olympic qualifying event is during the World Cup stage 3 in Antalya in June next year, while they can also earn team quotas by virtue of their rankings.

The national trial, which is yet to be announced, will determine the Indian probables for the Paris Olympics.

“It has been an enriching expertise. I’m assured of creating an India comeback this time,” Deepika signed off.

A veteran with more than five decades of experience in coaching, Hyung-Tak was the first full-time coach employed by the Korean Archery Association for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Having coached Korea till 1986 Seoul Asian Games, he subsequently led the Chinese Taipei’s surge in results in the 1990s.

In 2004, Hyung-Tak opened his own archery training centre and continues to coach resident and visiting athletes of all levels while travelling across the world to hold seminars and coaching workshops.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)