Jyothi Surekha Vennam recently made history by qualifying for the Archery World Cup Finals to be held this September. The 22-year-old archer from Vijayawada won silver in the team event (compound) with Trisha Deb and Muskan Kirar and a bronze in the mixed event with Abhishek Verma in the Archery World Cup Stage IV event in Berlin on Friday.
This will however, be the first time that she will be representing the country at the Archery World Cup Finals.
“Honestly, I did not expect it, but it is very pleasing and always a special feeling to make it to the finals for the first time,” reflects Jyothi, adding, “It means a lot to us, and it works as a perfect fillip to thrive on excellence.”
Ask her if she ever feels the pressure to deliver, and pat comes the reply, “Not at all. I never get into thinking mode because such things will only limit the performance. We’ve played several pressure matches in the past, so all the experience helps us to come to terms.”
Jyothi has been winning consistently in the recent past, and ascribes her success to several factors, including her attitude. “My approach to the game is very open. I take one thing at a time, and do not carry the pressure of my earlier matches to the next one. I go into a game without any pre-determined thoughts, and that keeps me at ease,” says the young archer.
Hours of gruelling training, dedication and staying focussed on the game is what Jyothi has been mastering over the years. “But there’s still ample room for improvement,” says Jyothi, adding, “My current training and practise should help me in fine-tuning my game.”
Jyothi practises for six hours a day, apart from one hour of gym and running. She and her partner Abhishek Verma (Delhi) complement each other well. “That’s because of our similar approach to the game; we try to enjoy the game as much as we can and see every defeat as an opportunity to learn,” she explains.
The young archer exudes confidence for the forthcoming Asian championship, her second appearance after having won a bronze in the team event last time.
“I honestly feel that if more players take to archery, we have better chances of getting medals for the country. I’m buoyed with the recent win at Berlin; nothing gives you more confidence and makes you feel good than a victory. We would love to win at the Asiad and then carry the confidence on to the Archery World Cup Finals in September,” she states.
