Archery
Limba Ram: The forgotten trailblazer of Indian archery turns 53
Limba Ram, India’s archery trailblazer, competed in three consecutive Olympics, set records, and coached, yet remains a forgotten hero despite his lasting impact.

FILE PHOTO: Former archer Limba Ram (right) receievig the Padma Shri award from the then President of India Pratibha Patil in 2012.
Trailblazers are the most celebrated figures in any sport, and Limba Ram is one such pioneer who paved the way for the rise of Indian archery. He popularised the sport and inspired countless aspiring archers by competing in three Olympic Games.
Yet, as he celebrates his 53rd birthday on Thursday, January 30, his remarkable achievements remain largely forgotten.
Born in Saradit, a tribal village in Rajasthan’s Udaipur district, Limba became the cynosure of the nation with his exploits in archery. Initially named Arjun Ram, he was later renamed Limba after a local deity, following his recovery from a serious illness as a toddler.
Poster boy of Indian archery
During his formative years, he worked as a farm labourer, and when he returned home, he would pick up a bow and arrows to shoot with his friends. Little did he know that the game he played in his village was an Olympic sport. His talent came to light during a trial in his village, which led to his induction into the Sports Authority of India’s newly launched Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme in 1987.
He later moved to Delhi to train under Russian coach Alexander Nicolai, alongside RS Sodhi and Suman Das. His talent was evident from the outset, and he soon impressed his coaches. In 1987, he won his first national title at the Junior National Championships in Bengaluru. With this performance, he also clinched a spot in the Indian contingent for the 1988 Seoul Olympics at just 16.
Though he could not make a mark in Seoul, the experience proved invaluable. He observed and learned the discipline and strength training methods of the South Koreans, historically the world's best archers, which helped him in the long run.
Limba played a crucial role in winning India the team gold at the Asian Archery Championships, while also clinching an individual silver medal. His steady rise continued as he reached the quarterfinals of the World Archery Championships in the same year.
At the 1990 Asian Games, he played an instrumental role in India’s fourth-place finish. Two years later, he equalled the 30m world record at the 1992 Asian Archery Championships.
With this achievement, hopes for an Olympic medal at the 1992 Barcelona Games soared. However, Limba succumbed to pressure after being distracted by Indian officials. “They told me, ‘We will carry you on our shoulders and bring you back to India with a medal around your neck.’ I was angry and irritated that they disturbed me. I returned to my room but couldn’t regain my focus,” he would later reveal in a radio interview.
His third Olympic appearance in 1996 ended in disappointment as well. A shoulder injury, sustained while playing football in Kolkata during the run-up to the Games, hampered his chances. Struggling to maintain rhythm thereafter, he still managed to win his seventh national title in 2003.
Coaching stint
A few years later, he transitioned into coaching, though his tenure was not without controversy. He served as the Indian team’s head coach from 2009 to 2012, but some within archery circles felt he lacked the scientific approach that players had grown accustomed to under foreign coaches. As a result, many did not fully embrace his methods.
Despite this, Indian archers won three gold, three silver, and four bronze medals at the 2009 World Cup under his guidance. However, they failed to maintain momentum at the 2012 London Olympics. Limba later alleged that Indian archers did not heed his instructions, which led to their disappointing campaign. Disheartened, he returned to Rajasthan to work at the grassroots level.
Unfortunately, a neurodegenerative disease forced him to step away from coaching. In 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, he was hospitalised at the AIIMS Delhi, with the Archery Association of India (AAI) stepping in to cover his medical expenses.
Though Limba was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1991 and the Padma Shri in 2012, the once-revered face of Indian archery has faded from public memory.
However, he remains deeply committed to the development of the sport in India. Even today, Limba continues to train young archers in Jaipur, ensuring that his legacy endures.