Sanjana’s father Prem Nath said, “She picked up the practise a year ago when someone gifted her a bow and arrow for her second birthday. Since then, she doesn’t let go of it not even when she sleeps. We recognised the talent and went to many coaches, who all turned us down. Finally, Shihan Hussaini sir accepted her.” 

Karate exponent and coach Shihan Hussaini of the Hu Archery Mission, said, “Sanjana’s parents brought her to my classes when she was 2 years and 9 months old. She was so good that she managed to do as much as those who train for 6 months, in 12 days.” 

The LKG student was training for only three months before setting a world record. Hussaini added, “She used to shoot for over an hour without tiring. Even trained archers can shoot 72 arrows. Since she was so insistent on shooting, one day we let her carry on. But she was able to shoot 300 arrows, after which we had to stop her. In June she was able to shoot 1,000 arrows. This is when we thought it would be possible to set a world record.” 

Thus Sanjana began her preparation for the attempt. Her prodigious talent received much appreciation, including an audience with the Chief Minister. On Independence Day, after surpassing a whopping 500 arrows, Sanjana’s parents and coaches considered stopping her as a record had already been set as no one had even attempted such a feat before. But the young champ wanted to soldier on. 

She finally set the record at 1,111 arrows, in three hours and 27 minutes. In two weeks’ time or so, her name should be verified in the Guinness record books. 

Meanwhile, Sanjana has other plans, “I’m excited that all my friends from school came to support me. I was so happy to see my face on TV. I can’t wait till I  officially represent my country in archery at the Olympics,” she said.