Archer Deepika Kumari craves for elusive Olympic medal

Deepika Kumari balances motherhood and archery, aiming for Olympic glory with resilience and determination in Paris Games.

Deepika Kumari is torn between two worlds. One where the doting mother longs to be with her 19-month-old daughter Vedika, and another where the ace Indian archer craves for an elusive Olympic medal.

But the resilience she showed in fusing those two different spaces in her life has taken Deepika to the Paris Games, the fourth showpiece in her career.

Deepika’s determination to achieve glory in the ultimate sporting event in the world was evident when she stayed away from her daughter for two months to finetune her preparation.

“It's difficult to explain the pain of being away from my daughter. But it's also about achieving what we have worked for over so many years,” Deepika told PTI in an exclusive interaction.

Finally, Atanu Das, her husband and himself an international archer, took Vedika to Army Sports Institute in Pune just before Deepika departed to Paris.

It was an achingly emotional moment for Deepika.

“I miss her a lot, but that's how it is. Thankfully, she has been really supportive and has adapted well with my in-laws and Atanu,” added Deepika.