In a quiet corner of Birsanagar, Jamshedpur, a young girl once cycled 18 kilometers every day, bamboo bow in tow, chasing a dream that even she didn’t fully understand yet. That girl was Komalika Bari, now a name synonymous with composure under pressure and India’s bright hope in international archery.
It all began when her mother caught wind of a new training center opening in the neighborhood. It offered four sports football, volleyball, basketball, and archery. Komalika’s mother sensed something different about the last one and convinced her husband to take Komalika to watch a session. “Papa saw the sport and found it very interesting and unique,” Komalika recalls. “I’ve always been fond of playing from a young age, and through my parents, I was introduced to archery.”
Her journey into the elite ranks truly began in 2016 when she joined the prestigious Tata Archery Academy but the foundation had already been laid with bamboo bows and a burning curiosity. “Back then, I had no idea what recurve archery was. I just knew that this was the kind of bow used to play at the international level,” she says.
At the academy, she found not just equipment and training, but two mentors who would guide her path Dharmendra Tiwari and Purnima Mahato. “From the very beginning, sir and ma’am took care of everything my training, the process, everything. They gave me training of international standard. Because of them, I was able to perform well in trials, represent India, and get that chance to carry the national flag.”
On Her Impressive Win Over Elia Canales
One of Komalika’s career-defining moments came when she defeated Youth Olympic Champion Elia Canales in the final of the World Youth Championships. “Honestly, I didn’t know she was the Youth Olympic Champion,” she says with a laugh. “I had seen her in many competitions, but at that moment, I was entirely focused on myself on my shooting process, on what ma’am was saying behind me. That focus helped me block everything else out. Maybe that’s why I was able to win.”
Pressure is a constant in a sport decided by millimeters but Komalika has developed a rhythm and routine to cope with shoot-offs and high-stakes moments. “My only focus is myself. I keep repeating key points in my mind so I don’t get distracted by the crowd or my opponent. When the buzzer goes off and I walk to the shooting line, the first thing I do is take a deep breath. Then I recall my process and complete my shot. Even after releasing, I don’t look at where the arrow landed. I just turn back calmly and ask, ‘Ma’am, where did it go?’”
She believes that this internal focus is one of the biggest reasons for her consistent performances at such a young age. Interestingly, when asked about the most challenging moment in her career so far, she has none to report. “All thanks to my coaches and support staff. I’ve never felt alone. That’s probably why I haven’t had a moment that I’d call truly challenging.”
Her learning never stops, and her role models aren’t distant stars but her own seniors at the academy. “I’ve learned a lot from all of them. From Deepika Di, I’ve learned punctuality and the ability to focus deeply during practice. She never let her attention wander. Jayant Bhaiya always helped others if someone’s shooting went badly and they came to him, he’d help them without hesitation. Tarundeep Bhaiya is still going strong despite his age because he still wants to achieve more. From all of them, I’ve learned not to be satisfied with just anything.”
I want to bring Olympic Gold home
That mindset never settling, always striving is now central to Komalika’s goals. “I want to win many medals for India and bring home Olympic gold. I’m working extremely hard mentally, physically, in every way so I can achieve that goal and make the country proud.”
Her journey from the dusty lanes of Birsanagar to the international circuit is not just a story of personal triumph it’s also a beacon for young girls across India who dream of sporting glory. Her message to them is clear and powerful: “Never stop working hard. Always focus on your process, not the result. And most importantly, enjoy what you’re doing. Only then will you be able to give your hundred percent, and the result will follow.”
As the Paris Olympics near and archery continues to grow in India, Komalika Bari stands tall not just as a medal contender but also as a reflection of quiet discipline, internal focus, and the power of belief rooted in simplicity.
