Bullseye triumph: Dhiraj secures Paris Olympic Quota in Archery, overcoming adversities

Recurve archer Dhiraj Bommadevara, aiming for redemption after a disappointing Asian Games, clinched an Olympic quota for India in Bangkok. Remembering his Asian Games misstep just a month ago, Dhiraj was determined not to repeat history as he faced crucial matches in the Asian Continental Qualifier Tournament (CQT). Despite a loss in the final to Lin Zih-Siang of Chinese Taipei, Dhiraj's earlier victories secured India's first archery Olympic quota.

Mindset overcoming Asian Games flashback

Recalling the Asian Games incident where technical and mental failures led to an embarrassing exit, Dhiraj admitted the memories surfaced during the CQT. However, he successfully blocked them out, emphasizing mental resilience.

Dhiraj's journey has been marked by setbacks, including contemplation of leaving archery after the Asian Games. The archer from Vijayawada expressed gratitude for the support from the archery community, which helped him rebound. His quick turnaround from a challenging period to securing an Olympic quota reflects his determination.

Looking ahead to Paris 2024

With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, Dhiraj aims to continue his consistent performance, hoping for a new journey towards Olympic success. Confident in the men's team securing a Paris ticket through world rankings, Dhiraj plans to intensify training for the upcoming challenges, emphasizing that the Olympic quota is just the first step in the pursuit of a medal.