Rutvi Lolge gets world-class bow boost for para archery dream

Para archer Rutvi Lolge is a Class 10 student, who has battled Spina Bifida (a congenital condition of the spinal cord that causes paralysis of lower limbs)

While success in competitive archery depends on external factors like heat, wind, etc, besides of course the archer's mental strength and skills, top-class equipment is the most crucial ingredient. Malad-based teen para archer Rutvi Lolge, 15, has experienced this first hand while participating in school, district, state and national-level competitions with inferior equipment.

mid-day highlighted Rutvi's story in November and OGQ, a not-for-profit sports and athletes's promotion body came forward to sponsor her dream of winning an Olympic medal. She recently participated in the Archery Championships in Patiala, losing (99 to 145) to her hero and world champion Sheetal Devi. The teenager never expected to beat her idol, but felt the gap in scores could've been lesser had she used better equipment.

Rutvi Lolge with (standing, left to right) mum Suvarna, St Anne's High School's sports coordinator Ram Ahiwale, coach Jagannath Shetkar, parish priest Rev Fr Anicito Pereira, St Anne's principal Sister Leo Vinnarasi, (restaurateur & well wisher) Ronnie D'Souza and coach Rohan More

Hereon, though Rutvi will not have such issues as she has recently received her advanced compound bow (PSE Dominator XZ 35, costing R3.8 lakh), imported from USA by her coach Rohan More. Her school principal Sister Leo Vinnarasi of St Anne's HS, Malad, presented her the bow.

Malad-based restaurateur Ronnie D'Souza, who owns UK United, a sports coaching initiative, was the first to spot Rutvi's talent last October and informed this correspondent. "During a school function in October, I saw Rutvi training and noticed that despite her physical problems, she was extremely confident," said D'Souza. Rutvi's coaches More and Shetkar believe "she will perform better as she starts training with one of the best compound bows in the world." Mum Suvarna, a single parent, who works as a freelance nurse, got emotional: "I'm grateful to Rutvi's school principal, Ronnie, and mid-day for everything," she said.

PSE Dominator duo X 35

(PSE is among world's Top 5 compound bow manufacturers

>> Bow is made of high density aluminium
>> String is made of high grade stainless steel
>> Ambidextrous design
>> Customisable stabilisers
>> Customisable grips

Cost of bow
Rs 1,60,000

Cost of accessories
Rs 2,20,000

Total cost
Rs 3,80,000

Weight
2.86KG

Length
35 inches

Top speed
338 FPS (feet per second)