Raipur, March 30 – In 2021, when Komalika Bari emulated her state-mate Dipika Kumari in becoming the second Indian woman to win the World Cadet and World Junior titles, a lot was expected from the archer born in Jamshedpur.
However, the transition to the senior circuit after a remarkable performance in the junior circuit hasn't been smooth for Komalika, who has been trying to make it into the Indian national team for major events like the Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics.
With the competition for spots in the Indian team for the 2026 Asian Games reaching its final stage, Komalika has not only been working extensively on her technique but also on her mental preparation and handling pressure during a training camp in Pune.
"I am currently in the top 16 and part of the training camp, and I am seriously preparing for the Asian Games selection. I am also trying to participate in as many competitions as possible to gain experience while maintaining our training schedule," Komalika said to SAI Media. The Jharkhand archer is a star attraction in the archery competition at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games being held here.
"My ultimate focus is on the (2028) Olympics. Right now, my training is very intense, and I am putting in a lot of hard work. The main emphasis is on staying mentally strong, because that plays a very important role in performance.
"My journey has taught me that there will always be ups and downs, but with hard work and determination, you can overcome them and move forward," Komalika said, adding that apart from gaining match experience, she also hopes to inspire more tribal children to take up the sport as a career.
Komalika first picked up the bow and arrow at the age of 12. She was supported by her mother, who worked in an anganwadi (a rural child care centre in India). Her mother took Komalika to a local archery coach in Birsanagar, which marked the beginning of her career. In 2012, Komalika started facing challenges. Her family could not even afford a bow for her practice in the initial days, so she used makeshift bows made of bamboo during her training.
Four years after she started her training, Komalika joined the Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur and began training under coaches Dharmendra Tiwari and Purnima Mahato. However, the journey to the premier archery academy in India was not easy for her, as she had to cycle 18 kms daily to reach her destination from her Birsanagar-based home.
"When I started archery, I had many seniors who were established athletes, and whom I looked up to as role models. We would usually only see them during competitions, and that inspired us a lot.
"That is one of the main reasons I am participating in the Khelo Tribal Games — I want people to see me compete and feel encouraged to come forward and take part. There are still many who are not participating. But the Khelo India Tribal Games is a very good platform that provides motivation and exposure," said the 24-year-old, who will be participating in individual, team, and mixed team events at the Khelo India Tribal Games.
Having already won an individual silver at the Khelo India University Games 2020, Komalika knows the importance of the Khelo India platform and how the Tribal Games can give impetus to the development of sportspersons from tribal backgrounds.
"The Tribal Games have the potential to change the entire ecosystem, especially for tribal athletes. The initiative taken by Khelo India and the way these Games are being organised is very impressive. Normally, national-level competitions are focused on a single sport, but here multiple sports are being conducted together, similar to the National Games," she added.