Atanu Makes No Excuse, Differs with Coach on Disastrous Show

After a narrow defeat, Indian archer Atanu Das opens up about why his performance suffered at the Asian games.

Indian archers Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das look dejected after recurve in mix team elimination event at the Asian Games.

(Photo: PTI)

Blaming himself for their disastrous outing at the Asian Games, Indian archer Atanu Das on Friday, 24 August, admitted that he has not been able to perform at the big stage despite having everything at his disposal.

The 26-year-old from Kolkata crashed out from both individual and mixed team recurve event at the Asian Games.

He was the only Indian to reach the quarterfinals in the individual event but lost in the first round in mixed event with Deepika Kumari.

While India's coach Sawaiyan Manjhi had said the team did not come well prepared, Atanu called it a psychological issue.

Who said we have not come with best preparation. It’s not like this. We came here 4-5 days before and there is no problem. I don’t want to give any excuses. Something is missing and it keeps happening. Every time new mistakes come to fore.

Atanu Das, Archer

‘Its a Psychological Pressure’

Asked to pinpoint the reason for his and recurve team's poor show, Das said:

For me it’s psychological, I would say. When I need to hit 10, I am getting 9. Half a millimetre is making all the difference. And that’s the game. We are working hard to cover this gap. We do not come here to lose. Last Asian Games also I lost in quarter-finals. It hurts badly but I won’t give up until I achieve my objective.

Atanu Das, Archer

"If I knew exactly, I would not have suffered such results in the last two years. If I knew, I would have won a lot of medals. Everywhere, I am losing by just one point. I am trying to find out how to move forward. I have got a clue but I won't share it with you," he added.

‘Whether Indian or Foreigner, We Need Good Coaching’

While the other member of the team, Vishwas, another archer said they struggle due to paucity of funds, Das chose not to use money as an excuse.

I have everything that I need but still performance is not up to mark.

Atanu Das, Archer

Like a true team person, Atanu refused to blame his teammate Deepika for the defeat in mixed event. Deepika shot a poor seven in shoot-off, which resulted in India's defeat against lower-ranked Mongolia.

At the start, I also hit a six, I had just dropped that shot, it just came off my hands, so I won’t blame Deepika. It’s team event, so both are responsible not one individual.

Atanu Das, Archer

Asked if the team needs better coaching and if an expert from abroad would be able to lift the performance of Indian archers, Das added, "if there is only the tag of foreign coach, that won't be enough. We need good training whether it comes from an Indian or a foreigner, it does not make a difference."

"I have not had any coach after 2013 and sometimes I went to Korea for training with the help of Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ).

(This story has been published in an arrangement with PTI)