Past Olympic failures will play on my mind, says Deepika

Deepika Kumari

Star Indian archer Deepika Kumari says the failure to win medals in the last two Olympics will "play on her mind" but she is trying to stay away from the negative emotions as she heads to the Tokyo Games.

Deepika, 27, is going to the Olympics as a World No. 1, similar to 2012 when she had climbed to the pole position ahead of the London Games.

However, Deepika could not live up to the expectation, making a first-round exit. Rio Games was no different as she made a last 16 exit in individual and lost to Russia in team quarter-finals.

"I don't want a repeat anymore. It's past but yes, that will play on my mind and there would be some pressure on the back of my mind," she told PTI, a day before leaving for Tokyo.

"So, it's about trying my best to keep myself free of all those negative thoughts and take less pressure. It's about focusing just on my shooting."

Deepika is in the peak form of her career, attaining the No. 1 ranking after winning two individual World Cup gold medals this year.

"As the day nears and countdown begins, pressure builds up. So, it's about mentally tuning and how to keep calm and don't get unsettled," she said.

"I'm basically focusing on mind and technique, playing more individual and team matches rather than just practice." Deepika and her husband Atanu Das are India's best Olympic medal hope in the mixed pair competition.

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