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Bhutan's Sports Archery |
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Bhutan's Sports Archery |
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Archery
- Coach drills selected archers June
2002 |
Archery
training: The Bhutanese team is aiming to be in the top ten
Tshering
Choden remembers the first time she took part in a regional archery competition.
"I was so nervous, my senses were numbed I couldn't shoot straight."
But that was four years ago. Today as one of Bhutan's finest women archers,
Tshering has crossed the novelty threshold. So have the seven other archers
recently selected to represent Bhutan at the Asian Games in South Korea,
in September. Thanks to the exposure from numerous regional and international
competitions. And they are practicing hard for the games in Korea. "The
athletes are occupied at least 11 hours a day," said national archery coach
Mr.Myun Kwon Park. Jogging in the morning, six hours of shooting, physical
and mental training in the afternoons and evenings.
The
Olympic archery range, above the swimming pool complex, is prone to distractions
from new constructions nearby and the stream of passing vehicles below
the Changangkha lhakhang. But the athletes go about their drill without
much talk.
"In
the weeks to come shooting practice will be increased especially in the
evenings said Mr. Park. "The athletes are more poised, calm and focused
shooting under floodlights. That is the feeling I want the athletes to
develop and carry with them to the competition."
The
men athletes shoot an average 1,300 points of a total of 1,440 points (over
four distances for the qualifying round) which by world standards is good,
says the national coach. "If they can perform the same level in the competition
our ranking will be within the first 10." So the shooting sessions are
held as matches to create the competitive atmosphere.
In
the 1998 Asian games in Bangkok, Thailand, Bhutan was ranked fourth in
the team event, the best result so far in an international event. "We can't
really say, but I think we do have a chance of a medal," says Tashi Penjor,
24, who stood first during the selections. "All the men archers have experience
and shoot equally well." Tashi Penjor will lead Rinzin Chophel and
Tashi Dorji in the individual and team events. Veteran archer Jubzang,
who came fourth in the selections, will join the team as a stand-by. Tshering
Choden will lead the women's team of Tenzin Lham and Dorji Dolma and stand-by
Dorji Dema.
| This
article was contributed by KUENSEL, Bhutan's National Newspaper 2002 |
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