Indian recurve archer Dhiraj Bommadevara has opened up about his landmark double-gold performance at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Antalya, Türkiye, describing the achievement as a beginning rather than a destination — and setting his sights firmly on the Asian Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The 24-year-old from Vijayawada spoke candidly about the mindset, tools, and ambitions driving his rise in world archery.

The Mindset Behind the Medals

Bommadevara credits an unflinching self-belief as the foundation of his competitive approach. 'People may say they are among the best in the world, but for me, I am the best, and every match is a new encounter. I never focus on the history of my opponent. I focus on what I can deliver,' he said. 'When I step onto the shooting line, I don't think about who is standing to my right or left. I am there to give my best.'

That attitude, he insists, applies even when facing the sport's most formidable opponents. On competing against the Republic of Korea — historically the dominant force in recurve archery — Bommadevara urged fellow athletes to shed any sense of inferiority. 'History tells us that Korea has dominated the sport and they are undoubtedly a great team. But whenever an athlete stands opposite them, it means that they are also among the best. You should never underestimate yourself,' he said.

The Reflection Diary: A Secret Weapon

Beyond technical drills and physical conditioning, Bommadevara revealed that a personal reflection diary has become central to his growth. 'The reflection diary has played a major role in my growth. It allows me to analyse performances, learn from experiences and set clear goals for the future. It has helped me develop mental clarity, emotional balance and resilience,' he explained. 'For me, there is nothing called pressure. Everything is a comfort zone if you prepare well.'

This emphasis on mental conditioning reflects a broader shift in elite Indian sport, where psychological readiness is increasingly treated as a performance variable on par with physical fitness.

Inside the Antalya Final

Recalling his individual final in Antalya, Bommadevara pushed back against the notion that a single arrow decided the contest. 'For statisticians, there may be one arrow that changed the match. For me, every arrow matters equally. There was no specific turning point. Lee Woo-seok gave his best and I gave mine. Every shot is important and my belief in myself ultimately made the difference,' he said.

He also reserved high praise for his mixed-team partner Kumkum Mohod, highlighting the teenager's composure after a mid-final wobble. 'Kumkum is exceptionally talented. She is still in her teens but has tremendous potential. During the final she shot an eight, then a nine, and followed it up with two perfect 10s. That showed her character and ability to bounce back,' Bommadevara noted. He added that India narrowly missed a medal in the mixed team event at the Paris Olympics, expressing hope that Los Angeles would deliver a different outcome.

Road to Asian Games and LA 2028

With the Antalya golds in the bag, Bommadevara has already shifted focus to the next challenge. 'The Asian Games are the immediate target and I will give my best there. At the same time, the LA 2028 Olympics remain a major goal,' he said. He also offered advice to aspiring archers: 'Approach every day as a student. Keep learning, remain open to new ideas and constantly look for ways to improve. Equally important is humility. Excellence is never achieved alone.'

If Antalya is any guide, Indian recurve archery's trajectory points sharply upward — and Bommadevara intends to be at its peak when Los Angeles arrives.