Teen para archer Rutvi Lolge, 15, had a memorable outing at the 7th NTPC Para Archery Championship in Patiala, where she faced her idol and world champion Sheetal Devi in the elimination round. Though Rutvi lost the match, she had no regrets, calling the experience inspiring and calming
Sheetal Devi (second from left) with Rutvi Lolge and the latter’s coaches Jagannath Shetkar (left) and Rohan More (right)
Teen para archer Rutvi Lolge, 15, like any competitive sportsperson, hates to lose. But on Saturday, she had no regrets after losing her elimination round during the 7th NTPC Para Archery Championship at the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NIS) campus in Patiala. That’s because her opponent was none other than world champion Sheetal Devi. Rutvi idolises Devi, the only top-class global archer without both arms, who is also a bronze medal-winner at the 2024 Paralympics.
In November last year, mid-day first highlighted how Rutvi, a Class X student of St Anne’s HS (Malad) has battled Spina Bifida (a congenital condition of the spinal cord that causes paralysis of the lower limbs) to win medals at inter-school, district, and state-level competitions against able-bodied athletes. Her mother, Suvarna, a single parent, who works as a freelance nurse, has to change her daughter’s urine bag every three hours during competitions. In December, OGQ, a highly credible not-for-profit organisation, founded by India legends Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone for the promotion of sports and athletes, came forward to take Rutvi under their wings and sponsor her ultimate dream of winning an Olympic (Paralympic) medal for the country. The Patiala event was Rutvi’s first big step backed by OGQ, and she was understandably nervous being the youngest girl in the women’s open compound competition. “This was my first national competition so I was nervous, but when I saw Sheetal Devi in front of me, all those nerves disappeared. I felt fine. She has such a calming influence,” Rutvi told mid-day from her Malad home on Monday after returning from Patiala.
Rutvi Lolge (left) and world champions Sheetal Devi are all smiles before their 1/16 elimination match in Patiala on Saturday
In the qualification round on Friday (Jan 30), Rutvi shot a total of 469 points out of a maximum 720 (72 arrows with each carrying a maximum of 10 points) to make it to the top 16. The next day, she faced Sheetal in the 1/16 elimination round, where she shot a score of 99 out of a maximum 150 (15 arrows) in comparison to Sheetal Devi’s impressive 145.
As fate would have it, Rutvi’s imported advanced compound bow, which her coach Rohan More had ordered from the USA, arrived in Mumbai on Saturday, a day after she left for Patiala for the competition. “I was never expecting to beat Sheetal Devi. She is a world champion after all, but I could have surely reduced the gap in points had I got my new bow in time,” said Rutvi, who competed with a basic bow.
Rutvi and Sheetal Devi are in competition mode as they face off in the 1/16 eliminations
Rutvi has been enriched with some great learnings from this outing though. “Sheetal Devi is my hero and I could barely utter a ‘hello’ to her before our match, but she sweetly smiled and returned my greeting. Normally, we archers don’t chat with opponents before a match. But later, I approached her along with Rohan sir,” said Rutvi.
There too, Rutvi just couldn’t speak, revealed coach More. “Sheetal Devi is a very humble person despite her global accomplishments. I asked her what advice she would give someone like Rutvi, who is just starting out in the national circle. Sheetal Devi said, ‘This sport is a lot more mental than it is physical. So, mentally you have to always remain calm and only then will you be able to perform well. Also, I practice for long hours every day.’ Rutvi simply nodded in agreement,” explained More.
Rutvi is currently preparing for her SSC Board exams next month after which she will resume her full-time training in archery. Meanwhile, her coaches More and Jagannath Shetkar are on the lookout for a dedicated practice venue for her since the St Anne’s school ground, where she currently trains, is also used by other students for different sports, leaving little time for her to train. “We are looking for a small 80 metres by 30 metres ground between Dahisar and Andheri, where Rutvi can train daily. Sheetal Devi has clearly told her that she must practice for long periods and only a dedicated ground can ensure this year-round training,” concluded coach Shetkar.
469
Rutvi’s qualification score with which she made it to the top 16 at the Para Archery C’ship in Patiala
16
Rutvi’s qualification position at the Para Archery C’ship in Patiala
99
Rutvi’s score in the 1/16 elimination round vs Sheetal Devi out of a maximum of 150 points
145
Sheetal Devi’s score in the 1/16 elimination round out of a maximum of 150 points
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