Tejal described how the sport has changed her life. “Taking it up during the pandemic, I suffered for the first two years. Lokesh Chand sir has supported me through and I am glad that I have made a mark. I was a quiet girl initially and now knowing that I have an exciting future makes me feel better,” she added.

Her success in Singapore is just the beginning. Tejas is aware that she still has a long way to go. “Archery is all about mental strength. Keeping your emotions on check remains important,” she added. At present, she is under the tutelage of Chandrakant Ilag, retired police officer and army officer, based in Buldhana.

The soft-spoken teenager will be determined to build on her success as she prepares for the Youth Archery World Championships, a marquee event that is scheduled to be held in Canada in mid-August.