Nagoya, October 4 (Daily Kiran) : Kiarti Sharma, a member of India’s women’s recurve archery team, celebrated a significant victory at the Asian Games, where the team clinched the gold medal. Hailing from a small village in Haryana, Kiarti’s journey to this achievement has been fraught with challenges. She honed her archery skills at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Hazaribagh.
In an interview with SAI Media, the 19-year-old athlete shared her struggles growing up with health issues. She faced skepticism regarding her abilities in archery, often due to her physical condition. “I had difficulty lifting heavy bows at first,” she recalled. “But I was determined to prove my critics wrong.”
Kiarti expressed deep gratitude towards her family, particularly her father, Vijay Sharma, for standing by her during tough times and laying the groundwork for her success. “My father is a farmer, yet he has always supported me. Despite financial constraints, he ensured that I could pursue my sports career,” she said.
She noted that many advised her father against allowing her to pursue sports, citing her gender and health challenges as reasons for concern. However, he never wavered in his belief in her potential.
The star archer also credited SAI and her coach, Uddham Singh, for their vital roles in her journey. “My family and coach have always encouraged me, instilling confidence that I could achieve great things,” she said. Kiarti moved to SAI in Hazaribagh four years ago, a decision influenced by her coach’s transfer. This move marked a turning point in her career.
Alongside teammates Ankita Bhagat and Kumkum Mohod, Kiarti’s team made history by defeating the strong South Korean side in the finals, breaking a 44-year dominance in the event at the Asian Games 2026.
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