No less than 'Devasena' in archery, tried his hand in the Olympics, now preparing new archers

I once dreamed of becoming a doctor. Was quick to read. Papa also thought that I would be able to become something. But then luck took me on another path. What I had never thought of, that became my life. Archery was everything. Reached the Olympics by being National-International. Now I am preparing a new plant of archers by becoming a coach.

Sharing her story with Bhaskar Woman, Olympian and coach at Ranchi-based Sports Authority of India, Reena Kumari says that the whole journey has been rising, falling, then getting up. I am originally from Nawada district of Bihar. Father Kapildev Prasad is a supervisor in Tata Steel.

It is a matter of 1998, I used to live with family in Ghato of Hazaribagh district. She studied in Shramik Vidya Niketan. Was in 10th. The leader in my class, all the teachers loved me. I was very good in subjects like Physics, Biology, Sanskrit etc. Then she thought that she wanted to become a doctor by studying and writing. I will do something for my family, brothers and sisters.

never seen a track suit

At the same time, Tata Steel Academy had organized a camp. I was interested in sports, had physical fitness, so I also gave trial. Then the trial was good for me. Next, the selection process was to take place. Tata Archery Academy was calling me.

But only if you get permission from home. There was no exemption for all these things in the house. To read or play! think. Have you ever seen a track suit, how will you be able to play with arrows and bows? Then my teachers explained. Make a career in sports, life will be transformed. There will be many opportunities.

When the call letter came, I remember my teacher RN Singh (everyone called him Singh sir) said, Opportunity has reached your doorstep, don't miss it. The people of the academy also explained to my father and thus I joined the academy in October 1998. At that time, more than going to the academy, I was happy that I would get to visit Jamshedpur. Beri bua used to live there. Thus reached Jamshedpur. From there my training started. Came into a different world.

won the first tournament

The tournament was being held in Jaipur. in January 1999. In Basic, Sub Junior Tournament. I participated there and became the champion. It became like icing on the gold. Then it felt that now I have to live in Archery only.

Third division came in matriculation

I was topper in my school. But due to Archery, studies got cut short. As a result, when the result came out in March 1999, I was able to pass in third division. Then cried a lot. Told at home that I will take the exam again. But then the mother said that no, now focus only on Archery. My coach Sanjeeva Singh encouraged, gave the example of Sachin. Further inter with Archery, then also did graduation from Arts.

when the flight met the angel

In November 1999, the flying angel met PT Usha. She had come to the academy. Then I could not believe that I had read them in books, had seen the photos. are now in front of me. That was an emotional moment for me. I used to watch matches between Leander Paes and Bhupathi then. PT Usha was the first person who came out of the TV. It filled positive energy in me.

National-International played

Within two years of joining the academy, I played several nationals. Played tournaments in places like Shillong, Patiala, Kolkata, Vijayawada, Guwahati, Meerut etc. I played the first international, the Chinese Taipei tournament. Then the team got bronze in that tournament. In the same year I also went to Germany for training. Night sessions were also held. I was in the academy till 2002.

Got upset after coming out of the academy

After leaving the academy, I had trouble getting the kit. Anand Bhushan was then Pro VC at Ranchi University. He got me equipment worth 4 lakhs from sports quota. During this I was selected for the National Camp. Practiced for 17 days. There was the coach of Korea, Leen Chee Wonk. After three months, she was also selected for the Indian team.

participated in the World Championship

Participated in several international tournaments in 2003. Played at the European Grand Prix in France. This year I got a big exposure when I arrived in New York to play the World Championship. After this, the very next year, the 28th Athens Olympic Games was in front of the Games.

In Archery, India's first women's team reached the Olympics. Me, Dola Banerjee and Sumangala Sharma were in the team. There was no end to the happiness. I lost in the pre-quarterfinals in the individual category. Then the coach was changed four months before the Olympics. The Bulgarian coach was brought in instead of the Korean coach. It turned out to be fatal for the team. The team could not perform well due to the weather condition of Athens and negligence in practice.

could not go to beijing olympics

In 2008, I was selected in the trials for the Beijing Olympics. But politics happened to me. I was dropped for pursuing a junior player. Then I went into depression. It was the most painful phase in the whole career. I raised my voice on this too. but nothing happened. The situation was such that I had to be treated by a psychiatrist for 3 months.

Got married in 2013, 20 days later in the national camp

I got married to Anil Singh in 2013. He is also an archer and coach in the army. He is a resident of Lucknow. I came to the national camp only after 20 days of marriage. Later reached the Indian team.

Joined sai as coach with sports

I joined the Sports Authority of India as a coach on 21st May 2013. Ajay Maken was the Sports Minister then. He said that why not only Olympian should be kept as coach. Thus a new beginning was made. Before this 9 years in Railways