Aditi Swami Attributes Success to Khelo India Initiatives

Aditi Gopichand Swami, the youngest compound archer to win gold at the World Archery Championships, attributes her success to the Khelo India initiatives. She highlights the importance of these programs in her professional growth and financial stability. With her sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Aditi shares her journey, the challenges she faced, and her determination to excel in compound archery. As she prepares for the upcoming competitions, her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 1, 2025, 20:53 IST

Aditi Swami Credits Khelo India for Rise as an Archer

Aditi Gopichand Swami, who made history as the first Indian and the youngest compound archer globally to secure an individual gold medal at the World Archery Championships, emphasizes the significance of events like the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) and the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) in fostering an athlete's career and financial security.

In 2023, Aditi achieved a remarkable feat by clinching the individual gold medal at the World Archery Championships in Berlin. She has also triumphed in three consecutive gold medal events at the Khelo India Youth Games. Representing Shivaji University, she continued her winning streak by securing gold in her debut at the Khelo India University Games in Rajasthan 2025, defeating Taniparthi Chikitha from Lovely Professional University. Aditi attributes her success to the Khelo India initiative, which she believes provided her with the recognition and experience necessary for competing at high levels.

Financial Stability Through Khelo India Scholarship

"Before joining the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), my journey was challenging. The costs for diet, gym, and training were substantial, and my father made significant sacrifices to support my aspirations. The scholarship from the Khelo India program has been a tremendous help, allowing us to concentrate entirely on my performance," shared the 19-year-old from Satara district in Maharashtra.

Focus Shifts to 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Despite her success in archery, Aditi contemplated switching to recurve archery to compete in the Olympics. However, she is now dedicated to enhancing her skills in compound archery, especially since this discipline has been included in the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games as a mixed team event.

"I considered trying recurve, but I realized it would mean starting from scratch, which could take seven to eight years to master. With the inclusion of compound archery in the Olympics, I found a clear goal. My aspiration is to win an Olympic gold medal for India. Previously, compound archery was not part of the Olympics, which felt like an opportunity lost. Now that it’s included as a mixed team event, it presents a golden chance for me," Aditi explained. She acknowledges the challenges ahead in qualifying for the 2028 Olympics, given the strong competition among Indian archers. "I understand the expectations following my performance at the World Championships. I faced a tough period in the last five to six months, but I have been dedicated to my training, and I am pleased with how everything aligned during the Khelo India University Games," she concluded.