Overlooked archer Mangal Singh Champia vows to enter TOPS list

CHENNAI: Mangal Singh Champia made the India archery team for the upcoming World Championships to be held in Mexico City from October 15 after trials held at Jamshedpur. The veteran was pleased with his selection for the biennial event and promised to give his best shot.

“I’m very happy that I made the cut. I have been training hard and this is the fruit of my labour. But the hard work starts now and I need to improve if I am to win something,” Champia told Express. The men’s team for the event includes fellow veteran Tarundeep Rai and Atanu Das.

However, the 33-year-old was not impressed with the new TOPS list and the fact that he missed out. Among male recurve archers, the likes of Atanu, Jayanta Talukdar, Sachin and Tarundeep have been selected.

“If people say that I missed out because of age, then quite a few should not have been included. The selection committee has selected on the basis of merit and potential to win medals and I feel I’m worthy. I want to prove them wrong by winning a medal soon. Hopefully, they will include my name later,” the Arjuna award winner said.

After his snub for the Rio Games, Champia had gone into a shell. The four-time World Cup gold medallist in team events had made the Olympic cut after his top-eight showing in the World Championship in Copenhagen. However, the Archery Association of India held a trial and Atanu got in ahead of Champia.
The archer says he has moved on but expects changes in trial rules in the future.

“That snub completely devastated me. I started pondering whether I should continue playing the sport that has given me so much. AAI should consider modifying the rules a little. Sometimes, archers who are in form make the cut over those who have done well in international events. That change will benefit archers,” he added.

Champia, however, holds no grudges and says that Atanu has a bright future. He knows recurve archers have not had the best of times recently.

“This year’s team has youth as well as experience. We, seniors, need to give our best to stay in the national reckoning as well as guiding the youngsters. Atanu did well in Rio and should keep working hard.”

As far as performances are concerned, quite a few factors are at play. The absence of a foreign coach is one of those.

“However, We are hopeful that things will change for the better in the near future,” Champia added. His last international appearance was at the World Cup Stage III, where he was part of the B team.

The team might leave for Mexico City one week prior to the event. With the devastating earthquake that has rocked the place, Champia hopes for a safe event. “Hopefully, people there recover and we have a safe and exciting event,” he signed off.

ayantan@newindianexpress.com