Archery: Anshika Kumari Overcomes Challenges To Win Gold At Khelo India University Games 2025

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At the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025, Anshika Kumari faced a challenging moment. During the women's recurve final against Srishti Jaiswal, her performance dipped in the second set.

Typically, such a setback might shake an archer's confidence. However, Anshika, representing Lovely Professional University, remained composed, exchanging words with her coaches and engaging in positive self-talk. This mindset helped her recover quickly, winning the next two sets to claim the gold medal.

Her ability to focus on the present and maintain a positive outlook has been key to her recent success. Anshika reflects on how she used to laugh off lost matches, thinking about the next opportunity instead of dwelling on mistakes.

"There was a time when I used to laugh after every lost match, thinking even this one was not for me, what worst can happen, let's focus on the next one. At the end of the day, it's all about concentrating on the present and having to shoot one arrow at a time and laugh off the stress away. This is what I did in the final today," she shared with SAI Media.

Resilience and Learning from Setbacks

Despite her achievements, the journey wasn't smooth. Anshika initially struggled with high expectations after making a mark in school archery in Mumbai. She quickly became the first Kendriya Vidyalaya archer to secure a gold at the School Games Federation of India nationals. Her determination led her to train at the SAIL Academy in Jharkhand, and eventually at SAI Kolkata. However, a spot on the national team remained elusive for some time.

Anshika's ability to learn from failures has been instrumental in her growth. She believes each loss is an opportunity to refine her skills. "I learned from all my failures and used every lost match as a learning lesson to improve my technique for the next one," she explained. This approach has served her well, including during the three World Cups she participated in this year.

Maintaining Focus on Future Goals

In a recent event in Jaipur, Anshika's performance in the mixed team event was below her expectations, resulting in a missed gold medal. Undeterred, she worked on her draw technique and later contributed to her university's victory in the Recurve Team category. Her recent triumph at the Khelo India Zonal Open further underscores her progress.

Anshika's calm demeanor was not developed overnight. It required patience and resilience, qualities she has honed since taking up the sport. Originally from Bihar, Anshika has lived across India due to her father's role in the Indian Navy. This diverse upbringing has contributed to her adaptability and strength in facing challenges.

Explaining the hiccup in her second set, Anshika, a trainee at SAI NCEO, mentioned the absence of her coach's telescope, which left her unsure of where her arrows were landing. "He got one after that set but I just focused on my breathing and the next arrow and I am happy that I won," she noted, highlighting the importance of staying composed under pressure.

Looking ahead, Anshika aims to continue her upward trajectory in 2026, with the Indian team for the Asian Games as her primary target. Her focus remains on maintaining her form and building on her current success, ensuring she remains a strong contender in the archery scene.