Archery
How the 'Pain of Paris' is propelling Dhiraj Bommadevara ahead
The 23-year old refuses to forget the near-miss at the Olympics last year.

2.4 centimeters.
A number so minuscule and yet one that can make the difference between obscurity and Olympic glory.
In one shot of an arrow, Dhiraj Bommadevara became the living example of 'missed it by a whisker' despite an incredible performance where he shot thirteen 10s from 14 total shots at the Paris Olympics.
Facing Canada's Eric Peters, after a 5/5 score in the regular rounds, both archers shot a 10 but Peters' arrow was 2.4cm closer to the center and that granted him passage through to the round of 16 at the quadrennial event last year.
If that wasn't heartache enough, Dhiraj also had to endure the agony of a fourth-place finish in the mixed-team category with Ankita Bhakat.
For most, putting the moment behind them is the way forward, for the anguish is understandably too hard to recover from.
Dhiraj, however, prefers to use the incident as a tool for motivation.
"What’s the point of having that (heartbreaking exit at Paris) experience, if I am to forget it entirely? Everyone deals with it differently but for me, it is motivating," he said, in an interaction with the media on the sidelines of the ongoing National Gamest at Uttarakhand.
Channelizing the pain
"There was a lot of pain after the Olympics especially when you were so close to the medal but could not win. I can feel every day that I am carrying that pain, carrying that burden," he said.
The burden, however, is channeled into his arrows.
"I am happy that I feel the burden because I can push myself to carry that pain. Of course, it is not a good thing (carrying the pain), but I feel it helps me push further."
And every time Dhiraj practices, he is reminded of that near-miss.
"I am not someone, who can ignore things - be it pain or fear. In every competition, practice session with every arrow I shoot, the fourth-place finish at Olympics reminds me that I have to push further not just for myself but also for Indian archery," he added.
For Dhiraj, the result is not the focus, instead, the process is.
"If you exit early from competitions, you know that you are not capable. But when you come so close and lose, you need to understand that you are capable to win the gold medal. You just need a push - training-wise, mentally, equipment," he said.
Experience has turned the 23-year old into a mature professional. And he now fully understands that he need to 'work step by step.'
With the ghost of Paris behind him, Dhiraj is now looking ahead with one eye set on the distant 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“It feels good (starting the new season). Results are showing the changes we’ve been making are working. The focus is on not to repeat the mistakes which were made in the last few tournaments," he remarked.
The little things
With Dhiraj and India coming so close to a medal yet not being able to cross the line, the focus has now shifted to the little things, and for Dhiraj, it starts with technical tweaks.
"I am trying to upgrade my technique as well since there are four more years until the next Olympic Games. Trying to utilize this time well to improve," he said.
With these changes in place, along with the onset of improved equipment, there is a case for optimism amongst the archers.
"The changes we’ve made in training and equipment, I can sense the graph is getting higher," Dhiraj added.
He went into further depth on how other subtle factors like the stage on which they shoot or the presence of crowds can be a point of difference, although he did not blame India's archery shortcomings on it.
Rather, he highlighted how other leading archers around the world, thanks to exposure to such facilities, are better prepared albeit very slightly.
"We don’t get that experience of playing in such (different stages, big crowds) conditions other than the Olympics. But other countries have such podiums created, bring in spectators, multiple simulations help make it a habit," he remarked.
"If you look at the medal-winning countries at the Olympics, those places have at least one World Cup happening there every year. At the Olympics, you shoot from the podium in every match. It makes a big difference. I am not blaming we don’t have such things," he added.
Silver lining
Things, however, are changing for the sport in India and Dhiraj acknowledges the changes that have been made over the years.
“Facilities have improved. People in India have the equipment needed. The one thing I would love to see a change in is how tournaments are conducted, especially the finals," he opined.
The final here for National Games will be good but I want that every other final from junior, sub-junior level are held at a same level that it feels like a world class stage."
That, according to Dhirag, will ensure that youngsters 'won’t feel surprised when competing at a higher level later.'
Dhiraj will be in action at the National Games, featuring in all three recurve archery categories (individual, men's team, and mixed team).
With the World Cup and World Championships looming large in 2025, the 23-year old will want to get back to winning ways at the international circuit as he takes aim for his ultimate target - the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.