17-year-old girl has been an inspiration to many. She made a powerful comeback to the sport from a brain hemorrhage and being in a coma for several days during the peak covid-19 pandemic in May and June 2020.
Pragati Choudhary won two silver medals in compound individual and compound mixed team archery at the ongoing 2022 National Games at the Sanskardham Sports Complex.
Pragati has since returned to the Indian team, even representing the country in a World Cup, but the Delhi girl believes people are yet to forget about the tough time she had endured.
Pragati revealed that as soon as she reached back home from the hospital, she was restless to feel the bow in her hand.
Neighbors recommendation made her archer
Pragati, who took up archery on the recommendation of a neighbor who was associated with the Archery Association of India (AAI), also threw light on her road back to recovery. “My coach Vikas sir used to visit me daily at home to help with my treatment. The physiotherapist Nitin Chauhan, who used to travel all the way from UP to Delhi, and doctor Manish – these three people took care of me as if I were their own daughter. If not for them, I am not sure if I would have recovered so well,” she said.
The youngster, on the other hand, is quick to return to the present and is overly critical of her performance at the National Games.
“I am definitely not happy with my performance. I lost two finals and a bronze medal match in the women’s team event. I could have done a lot better. One bad arrow in each event is what it took to spoil my performance,” she said.
Pragati, who is currently enrolled in a BA programme at the Hansraj College in Delhi, has her eyes set on bigger things for now.
“I have no interest in studies. I got admitted into college just because I want to play at the World University Games now. I told my mom I do not want to go to college and she said it is okay you just play well – that’s all I am focusing now,” she laughed.
