Archer Rajat Chauhan hopeful of achieving big targets at Olympics

Ace compound archer, Rajat Chauhan is hopeful of achieving his targets of becoming the World champion and winning an Olympic medal. Although, he has to switch to recurve as compound competitions are not part of the Olympics, in order to achieve his second target.

Chauhan, a World Championships silver medallist in 2015, had switched from compound to recurve in search of Olympic glory.

“I have seen the difference in treatment to Olympic athletes and non-Olympic athletes. That’s why I have a keen desire to excel in the Olympics.” Chauhan said.

Chauhan lost eight kg’s and reduced his bow length and weight to suit his transformed physique and utilized the lockdown period to reflect and work on improving his game. 

Rajat Chauhan on upcoming Olympics

”I expect to get a job (the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police in Rajasthan) in a month. I have to win a National or international medal within two years to get the job confirmed. Will use the time to achieve my dream of becoming a World champion.” Chauhan, hailing from Jaipur, told Sportstar.

“After securing my future, I will move to recurve and will try for the 2024 Olympics. My gut feeling says I will do well in the Olympics. After reducing weight. I felt some changes were needed to bring precision to my shots.” said the 25-year-old Asian Games gold and silver winner in team events.

“There are no competitions and no prize money. So, I don’t have any earnings. This fund has been useful for my training. I try to help a few needy archers as well. Since I helped others (donated Rs 2.11 lakh to the Rajasthan COVID fund and contributed to a combined effort to feed 1800 people daily for two months), I got this assistance.“ said Chauhan as he was thankful to World Archery for providing a scholarship of $5000 during the lockdown.

Chauhan wants to shine in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, prior to chasing his Olympic dreams as he said, “Archery was not part of the Commonwealth Games after 2010. There are some strong archery countries in it. I am eager to do well there.”

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