Kolkata, Oct 7 (PTI) - American archery legend Brady Ellison has highlighted the unparalleled archery success of South Korea, attributing it to a professional framework where the sport holds a stature equivalent to cricket in India. This setup continues to be a significant factor in India’s ongoing aspiration for an Olympic medal in the sport. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, South Korea's women's team reaffirmed their supremacy by securing their 10th consecutive gold, maintaining an unbeaten run in the event since its inception at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. On the men's side, Kim Woo-jin clinched his fifth Olympic gold, a historic feat in the archery world.
Ellison, a five-time Olympian, shared insights during an exclusive interview with PTI at the debut Archery Premier League, describing South Korea as the only nation with a true professional archery landscape. "In Korea, being an archer is a career, much like cricket in India or American football in the US. Even their 50th-ranked archer earns more than I do back home," Ellison remarked.
He emphasized that in Korea, the archery foundation is built from a young age, with children as young as five or six dreaming of becoming professional archers. Conversely, in many other countries, including the U.S., archery is pursued primarily as a means to make an Olympic team.
Ellison is familiar with success at the highest levels, boasting numerous Olympic medals and over 60 podium finishes at World Cup stages and finals. He noted that India is always in contention for an elusive Olympic medal. "India is perpetually in the hunt. Your best two recurve shooters in a mixed team could be formidable," he asserted.
Looking to the future, Ellison expressed high hopes for India as compound archery debuts at the mixed team event in the 2028 LA Olympics. "India could excel not only in compound but also in recurve. The country is definitely on the upswing," he said.
Ellison also warmly welcomed the appointment of esteemed Korean coach Kisik Lee as India's new recurve head coach, pending final approval from the Sports Ministry. "He's a top-tier coach. His presence will immensely benefit India," Ellison stated, noting his own previous training under Lee.
The experienced archer warned, however, that while coaches can propel athletes to success, the athletes themselves need to remain receptive and hardworking. "Athletes must be open to learning and evolving. India has such talent," he commented.
Addressing the pressure faced by athletes, Ellison pointed out that media scrutiny and national expectations often heighten anxiety before the Olympics. "Media exposure is valuable, but it can detract from essential training time. A robust PR strategy can help mediate this pressure," he advised.
At a personal level, Ellison remains passionately committed to the sport, setting his sights on becoming the most decorated archer in Olympic history and potentially the first-ever seven-time Olympian. "I'd love a gold, but reaching new milestones is enticing too," he said.
He highlighted that age need not be a limiting factor, citing examples of archers who thrived into their 40s and 50s, concluding that "in archery, if you maintain fitness and mental sharpness, you can compete well into older age."
Ellison also praised Deepika Kumari for her dedication to return to elite competition post-motherhood as she prepares for her potential sixth Olympics. "Returning as a mom and top-tier competitor is incredibly tough. Kudos to all such mothers," he lauded.
Presently in New Delhi, Ellison is competing for the Tamil Nadu franchise, Chola Chiefs, in the APL. The event has been an enriching experience, allowing him to engage with seasoned archers like Deepika Kumari and Tarundeep Rai. "It's been a fantastic first visit to India. Being teamed up with athletes I’ve admired has been rewarding," he concluded.
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