Raipur, March 30 (NationPress) In 2021, Komalika Bari made headlines by mirroring her fellow state-mate Dipika Kumari, becoming just the second Indian woman recurve archer to win the World Cadet and World Junior titles. Expectations soared for the archer born in Jamshedpur.

However, her shift to the senior circuit has presented challenges despite her impressive junior achievements. Komalika has been striving to secure a position on the Indian national team for significant events, including the Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics.

As the competition for the Indian team spots for the 2026 Asian Games intensifies, Komalika is dedicating herself to refining her technique and enhancing her mental resilience at a training camp in Pune.

“I am currently within the Top 16 and partaking in the training camp, diligently preparing for the Asian Games selection. I'm also aiming to compete in as many events as possible to gather experience while adhering to our training regimen,” stated Komalika in an interview with SAI Media. The talented archer from Jharkhand is a highlight in the archery events at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games.

“My main focus is on the (2028) Olympics. At present, my training is exceptionally rigorous, and I’m committing significant effort. It’s vital to remain mentally robust, as that plays a crucial role in performance,” she added.

“My experiences have shown me that there will always be challenges, but through perseverance and hard work, one can overcome them and progress,” Komalika noted, expressing her desire not only to gain competitive experience but also to encourage more tribal youth to pursue archery professionally.

Komalika first picked up a bow and arrow at the age of 12, supported by her mother, who works at an anganwadi (rural child care center in India). Her mother introduced her to a local archery coach in Birsanagar, which sparked her journey. In 2012, she faced her early hurdles as her family struggled to afford even a bow, leading her to craft makeshift bows from bamboo during her initial training.

Four years into her training, Komalika joined the Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur, where she trained under coaches Dharmendra Tiwari and Purnima Mahato. The path to this premier archery academy was fraught with difficulties, including a daily 18km cycle ride from her home in Birsanagar.

“When I began my archery journey, I had several senior athletes as role models whom I admired. We would see them mainly during competitions, which inspired us greatly,” she said.

“This is a significant reason why I am participating in the Khelo Tribal Games—I want people to witness my competition and feel encouraged to participate. There are still many who haven’t taken that step. However, the Khelo India Tribal Games serve as an excellent platform for motivation and exposure,” remarked the 24-year-old, who will compete in individual, team, and mixed team events at the Games.

Having previously secured an individual silver at the Khelo India University Games 2020, Komalika understands the importance of the Khelo India platform and believes the Tribal Games can significantly benefit athletes from tribal backgrounds.

“The Tribal Games have the potential to transform the entire landscape for tribal athletes. The initiative by Khelo India and the organization of these Games is commendable. Unlike typical national-level competitions that focus on a single sport, this event spans multiple sports, akin to the National Games,” she concluded.