13-year-old archer picked for World Championship

At the age of 5, when Jiana Kumar visited the Panjab University campus to have a look at her father’s old hostel room, she discovered her life’s aim. Watching archers practice, on the sidelines of the university cricket stadium, gave the child the courage to ask her father: “Can I become an archer.” “Why not”, was her father’s instant reply. But he had barely understood that Jiana would ask him to find her a coach the very next day.

Now 13, the girl is all set to represent India in the 2025 World Archery Youth Championship, at Winnipeg, Canada, from August 17 to 24—making her perhaps the youngest member of the Indian team. She made her intention to represent the county in the championship clear two years back. After rigorous training, Jiana managed to clear the trials for the Indian team, which concluded few days ago at Army Sports Institute, Pune.

A recurve specialist, Jiana scored 1995 points (Three events total to 16.25) to finish third in the trials and book her berth in the Indian team. The final selection was made after adding the points earned by the archers in Event 1 (including bonus points) Event 2 Event 3 (including bonus/penalties).

A Class VIII student of Sacred Heart School, Sector 26, Jiana trains at GKM Archery Academy, Sector 39, under coach Anurag Kamal. “It’s great to get selected for the Indian team. I am in high spirits. I felt some connection with the sport, the moment I saw some archers practice at Panjab University years ago. I wish to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles or 2032 Brisbane Olympics and I will leave no stone unturned to achieve the goal,” said the youngster.

A winner of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) national games, state championship and CBSE national meet, Jiana admires Indian archers Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, besides South Korea’s Park Sung-hyun. “The sport demands concentration and stability. I think an early start to the day is good, so to learn the basics of handling the pressure. I don’t know how hard it will be to get selected for the Indian Olympics team, but I am well prepared to face any challenge. The support from my parents and coach has helped release the unwanted pressure. Even during the trials, I was getting all the possible help from them so that I just focus on my aim,” said an elated Jiana.

She added, “We follow a strict routine and, so far, everything is going as planned. Having international exposure and playing under different conditions is really important to gain experience for being a professional archer.”

While Jiana credited her coach for her achievement, another trainee of the same academy, Aditya Shivprasad Pawar, has been selected for boys’ team for the same championship. Pawar, who ended the trials at second position with a total score of 2031, represents Maharashtra in the national circuit.