Dhiraj Bommadevara, an emerging star in Indian archery, continues to capture the attention of fans and volunteers, especially after his notable performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although India came close to winning its first-ever archery Olympic medal, Dhiraj and his partner Ankita Bhakat faced heartbreak when they finished in fourth place after losing to the USA in the mixed team bronze medal match. In the individual event, Dhiraj's hopes were dashed when he lost to Canada's Eric Peters by a small margin in a nail-biting shoot-off. Despite these setbacks, Dhiraj has channeled the pain of finishing fourth into motivation, using it as a constant reminder to push himself harder in every practice and match. He views the feeling of falling just short of a medal as a burden that drives his commitment to improving his mental, physical, and technical skills.
 

Indian archery has often shown promise on the global stage, but the elusive Olympic medal has remained out of reach. Dhiraj, however, is determined to learn from past failures. His success at the 2023 Asian Games, where he was part of the men's team that won a silver medal, and his individual performances at various World Cup events, including winning a bronze in Antalya and Shanghai, demonstrate his potential. Dhiraj believes that hosting major events in India could help local archers adapt to the high-pressure environment of the Olympics. By providing exposure to top-level competitions at home, Indian archers could benefit from better preparation and increased visibility. Dhiraj emphasized that hosting tournaments like World Cups could replicate the intensity and scale of the Olympics, offering invaluable learning experiences for athletes and spectators alike.
 

Looking ahead, Dhiraj is excited to reunite with his Korean coach, Kim Hagyong, who played a crucial role in shaping his early career. After a break during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dhiraj is eager to resume his training under his coach's guidance at the Army Sports Institute in Pune. With the focus on World Cups and world championships this year, Dhiraj is keen on breaking the trend of finishing just outside the podium. Reflecting on his past near-misses, he acknowledges the pain of coming so close to victory, but sees it as a valuable learning experience that motivates him to continue working hard. By fine-tuning his performance in areas that need improvement, Dhiraj hopes to achieve greater success in the upcoming competitions and ultimately secure an Olympic medal.