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Aiming high
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For Arun Kumar and Syed Shareefuddin, who took part in the European Grand Prix in Turkey recently, it was an experience they had much to learn from
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SHOOTING STARS Nachupally Arun Kumar and Syed Shareefuddin Photo: D. Gopalakrishnan
Pegging away with persistence, often away from the limelight, are archers Nachupally Arun Kumar and Syed Shareefuddin. Unknown perhaps to most citizens of the twin cities, the Hyderabad duo took part in the European Grand Prix, also known as the Golden Arrow Championships in Antalya, Turkey recently. Although they had little by way of achievement in the compound bow section, it was an experience they had much to learn from.
The sport's super powers, United States and France, were absent but the pair got to meet and watch the world record holders and champs, Tejan Sitar of Slovenia and Peter Eleganza of the Netherlands. Ranked 34, Arun competed against about 100 archers from around the world. The windy conditions had the arrows straying away from target for the city twosome, but their eyes were alert in observation and learnt much.
Striking a comparison, Arun felt the foreigners were very relaxed, making them appear casual on the shooting line, clad most of the time in shorts. Competition to them was like everyday, if not an extended practice.
They enjoyed their shooting immensely, getting the right shot being paramount in their pursuit of glory.
Most rivals of the Indian duo were employed and could spare only about six hours a week. Nonetheless, they used that brief period with intensity, concentrating on qualitative shooting. The Indians in comparison were self-conscious. The national team's efforts centred round quantitative shooting. Nonetheless, the occasion was used to do some homework on forthcoming competition, more specifically, the World Outdoor Championships at Madrid, Spain in June. Exchanging notes with their Spanish counterparts in Turkey, the Indians realised Spain wouldn't be much different from Turkey. The breeze would play a big part on the outcome and much would depend on the marksmen adapting to such a situation.
Never short on hope, Arun and Shareefuddin seem set to give Spain their best shot. Arun hopes to top the 1300 points range. The arrows to be supplied by the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) in preparation for the Madrid meet should be a boon. They are now attending a camp being conducted by chief coach and former international Sanjeeva Kumar Singh at the Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur.
Fine performances by Arun and Shareefuddin at Pune, where the National ranking tournament was held in mid-May, paved the way to their selection for Spain. Aficionados of the art anxiously await a display that will better the country's fourth place position in world archery.
A. JOSEPH ANTONY
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