Chetan Mehra started practicing Archery in 2022 after a trial by Rajasthan State Sports Council. He excelled in physical and medical tests, leading to selection for the state academy. He is currently pursuing BA at Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute, Udaipur. He believes in the importance of mental and physical fitness in archery, which can be improved through running. He has won bronze medals in state level competitions and silver medals in the All India University Games.
The Initiation
Chetan embarked on his archery journey in 2022 by attending a trial organized by the Rajasthan State Sports Council for their state academy. His outstanding performance earned him a spot in the academy. Shortly after, he attended a month-long training camp in Mount Abu, where he connected with coach Naresh Damor, whose guidance significantly refined his archery skills.
Gurus & Role Models
Chetan initially trained for 21 Days under coach Naresh Damor at Abu Road. Afterward, he was selected to join the Rajasthan State Sports Council academy, where he continued his training under coaches Begu Raj and Ladu Ram. He is still honing his archery skills under their guidance, along with coach Prabhu Lal, the brother of Olympic archer Limba Ram. Chetan considers Limba Ram, a Padma Shri awardee, as his role model. Inspired by Rajasthan's three Olympic players, Chetan finds motivation to pursue his passion for archery.
The Talent
Chetan explains that archery involves three main types of equipment: compound round, recurve round, and Indian round. Each of these has varying distances and categories. In the under-19 category, archers shoot at the highest range, while in the under-17 category, the distance is slightly shorter. After under-19, participants advance to the senior level, where the maximum score is 360, and archers are required to submit their scores.
Achievements
Chetan earned a bronze medal at the state-level archery competition and a silver medal at the West Zone-South Zone competition of the All India University event. Additionally, he has competed in Khelo India tournaments and as a Khelo India All India player.
A Bit More
Chetan emphasizes the importance of both mental and physical fitness in archery. Physical fitness, especially through activities like running, is essential for the sport due to its demanding nature. For maintaining a balance between his studies and sports, Chetan has received immense support from his teachers at Vidya Bhawan Rural Institute, who have always encouraged him to excel in both areas. He advises athletes to always reflect on whether they are giving their 100%, regardless of the sport or the time of day they practice. He believes that archery offers a path to a successful future if you practice diligently, remain dedicated, and consistently give your full effort. Chetan also highlights that there are numerous archery tournaments, including college-level and open competitions. He notes that tournaments organized by the Open Federation have a qualifying score requirement. Once a player scores 325 plus 325, they become eligible for international trials, such as NTPC trials, and if they qualify, they can participate in international tournaments.
