Kolkata, Oct 13 (PTI) - Mete Gazoz, who etched his name in history by securing Turkey's first-ever Olympic archery gold at the Tokyo Games, endured a grueling journey marked by relentless training and physical hardship. Shooting nearly 400 arrows daily over 10-hour practice sessions for five years, Gazoz faced not just the tangible pain of bleeding fingers and numb shoulders, but also periods of severe exhaustion where he couldn't even muster the strength to stand.
At just 22, Gazoz delivered his country's maiden Olympic medal in 2021. He vividly recalls the toil and fatigue that followed his humble debut at the 2016 Rio Games. Despite this, Gazoz refrains from advising Indian archers preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, acknowledging that they are on par with him in terms of skill and capability, fully capable of breaking their medal drought.
"I trained every day around 10 hours, shooting 300-400 arrows on average," the 26-year-old recounted during an exclusive PTI interview from New Delhi, fresh off his victory with Rajputana Royals in the inaugural Archery Premier League.
Reflecting on his commitment, he noted, "Sometimes my fingers bled, my shoulder lacked strength, and at times, my legs gave way, rendering me unable to climb stairs or even walk. Yet, I endured it all for five arduous years leading to the Olympics. The pain was a secondary concern; my focus was singular."
Gazoz's journey saw him initially rank 29th at the Rio Games, where he narrowly advanced past the first round before succumbing to Sjef van den Berg. This loss spurred his ambition towards Tokyo. Here, he conquered formidable opponents like world No. 1 Brady Ellison in the quarterfinals and 2012 silver medallist Takaharu Furukawa in the semifinals, ultimately rallying from 1-3 down to defeat Italy’s Mauro Nespoli 6-4, clinching the men's individual championship.
"The journey commenced long before I was three years old, but post-2016 was when the real pursuit began," Gazoz remarked. "After Rio, my coach Goktug Ergin and I set our sights on Tokyo with a clear four-year plan to win the Olympics."
Throughout this period, he battled through tears, frustration, and scarce moments of triumph. "On the day of the Tokyo finals, I woke up feeling it was my time to shine, culminating four years of grueling preparation," he recounted.
Indian Archers on the Rise
Among India's notable archers, Deepika Kumari has come closest but faced quarterfinal exits across three consecutive Olympic editions. As she gears up for her fifth Olympic appearance in 2028, she remains India's beacon of hope in archery.
Despite refraining from doling out advice, Gazoz is optimistic about India's prospects. "I can't offer advice because the Indian archers are exceptionally skilled, on par with the global elite," he stated. "It’s just a hard journey, but plausible with talents like Dhiraj Bommadevara leading the charge," he said.
He praised emerging talents such as Dhiraj, Deepika, Ankita Bhakat, and others poised for 2028, underlining that it doesn't matter who clinches the medal; breaking the jinx is what truly matters.
No 'Luck' in Olympic Glory
In Tokyo, some attributed his victory to misfortune, pointing out that he hadn't contended against any Korean archers and that Kim Woo-jin, a gold medal favorite, made an unexpected quarterfinal exit. Gazoz refutes these claims, emphasizing, "Defeating Brady, the reigning world champion and number one, proved there was no luck involved. No one can say I was lucky."
His subsequent matchup with Korean legend Woo-jin in Paris returned less favorable, resulting in a quarterfinal exit—an experience Gazoz regards as highly stressful, yet formative. "I respect Woo-jin; he simply outperformed me. I will bide my time until the right moment for victory emerges," he expressed.
Although he slipped from world No. 1 to 10 post-Tokyo, Gazoz is unperturbed. He focuses less on rankings and more on a four-year plan aimed solely at the Olympics. "With newfound experience, I feel entirely prepared for 2028," he reassured.
Bonding with India
Gazoz’s first visit to India culminated in a triumphant stint with the APL, where he relished not just competitive success but also the cultural richness. "I’m truly enjoying my time in India. Everything—the food, the people, the format of the competition—is fantastic. It's a fascinating country, and I’m keen to return," he concluded.
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