How does Anshika Kumari maintain her focus despite setbacks?
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Synopsis
Anshika Kumari shares her inspiring journey from facing defeat to winning gold at Khelo India University Games 2025. Her emphasis on positive self-talk and focusing on the present has transformed her archery career. Discover how she navigates challenges and aims for future success on the national team.
Key Takeaways
- Positive self-talk can significantly impact performance.
- Focusing on the present moment helps reduce anxiety.
- Learning from failures is essential for growth.
- Support from coaches can make a difference in competition.
- Setting long-term goals keeps athletes motivated.
Jaipur, Nov 28 (NationPress) Anshika Kumari faced a challenging second set during the women’s recurve final against Srishti Jaiswal at the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025. Such a performance could typically shake the confidence of any archer. However, the 23-year-old competitor from Lovely Professional University maintained her positive demeanor, engaging with her coaches and prioritizing encouraging self-talk to dominate the next two sets and secure the gold medal.
This mindset not only enabled Anshika to recover during the final, but it has also significantly influenced her archery career over the past year.
"There was a period when I would laugh after each defeat, considering each loss as a stepping stone, thinking, 'What could be worse? Let's shift our focus to the next challenge.' Ultimately, it's about staying present, shooting one arrow at a time, and alleviating stress with laughter. This was my strategy in the final today,” Anshika shared with SAI Media.
Discussing her difficulties in the second set, the SAI NCEO trainee mentioned that she couldn't pinpoint her arrow's placement on the target since her coach was without a telescope initially. "He managed to get one after that set, but I concentrated on my breathing and the subsequent arrow, and I’m thrilled to have won," said Anshika, who originally comes from Bihar yet has lived in various parts of India due to her father's service in the Indian Navy.
Achieving this level of calm took time for Anshika. She initially struggled with her own expectations after making a quick impact in the sport during her school years in Mumbai.
Shortly after starting archery, Anshika became the first archer from Kendriya Vidyalaya to win gold at the School Games Federation of India nationals. Driven by her passion, she trialed at the SAIL Academy in Jharkhand and began her training there.
Despite consistently qualifying for SAI Kolkata over the years, a national team position remained elusive. However, this year has marked a significant turnaround.
“I have learned from every setback and viewed each defeat as a lesson to refine my technique for future competitions,” stated Anshika, who participated in all three World Cups this year.
She applied the same mindset during her recent mixed team event in Jaipur, where she fell short of a medal after the individual final. Nevertheless, she enhanced her draw technique, contributing to Lovely Professional University's Recurve Team gold finish.
Having recently triumphed at the Khelo India Zonal Open, Anshika is now eager to maintain her momentum in 2026, with her primary goal being to secure a position on the Indian team for the Asian Games.
Point of View
Her evolution serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and exemplifies the importance of mental strength in achieving success.
NationPress
28/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What motivated Anshika to pursue archery?
Anshika was motivated by her early success in school competitions and a desire to excel in the sport.
How does Anshika handle pressure during competitions?
She focuses on positive self-talk and breathing techniques to stay calm and centered.
What are Anshika's future goals in archery?
She aims to secure a spot on the Indian team for the Asian Games in 2026.
Has Anshika faced failures in her career?
Yes, she has experienced setbacks but views them as learning opportunities to improve her skills.
What is Anshika's training background?
She began training at the SAIL Academy in Jharkhand and has since progressed to SAI Kolkata.
