Aditi Swami, a mere 17-year-old athlete, has achieved what many can only dream of becoming the youngest-ever world champion in archery. Her remarkable journey from a small village in India to global archery stardom is a testament to her unwavering dedication and immense talent.
Aditi's journey with archery began at the tender age of 10 when she accompanied her father to a multisport event at Shahu Stadium in Satara, Maharashtra. It was there that she first laid eyes on the bow and arrow, sparking a passion that would shape her future. Her father, Gopichand Swami, a teacher at a local school, noticed her fascination and decided to nurture her budding talent.
They soon crossed paths with coach Pravin Sawant, who runs the Drushti Archery Academy in Satara. Recognizing Aditi's potential, Coach Sawant proposed a fitness test, which she aced, leading to her admission to the academy. This marked the beginning of her rigorous training regime, where Aditi would dedicate three to four hours daily on weekdays and over five hours on weekends to perfect her archery skills.
Aditi's journey was not without its challenges. Her family hails from Sherewadi, a village with a population of around 600 people, located 15 km from Satara. To support her dreams, her father took a loan against his salary account, and the family relocated to Satara in 2016. Her mother, Shaila Swami, worked as a gram sevak at Ambawade village, 12 km away, packing meals for Aditi before leaving for work.
During the COVID-induced lockdown, Aditi continued to practice diligently outside her home, a testament to her unwavering commitment. Her solo training sessions helped her enhance her skills and concentration. When tournaments resumed, Aditi began to achieve impressive results, securing her first national individual gold during the sub-junior event in Amravati in 2021.
Aditi's journey to success was not just a personal one; it was a family effort. Her father tirelessly secured funds for her tournament travels and equipment, accumulating a substantial debt without a single complaint. Scholarships from Khelo India and Indian Oil have since eased their financial burden.
In March 2022, during her international debut at the Asia Cup leg 1 in Phuket, Aditi may have faltered individually, but she contributed to the team's silver medal win. Her international success continued with gold medals in Iraq and Sharjah. Notably, her dream of an individual gold became a reality at the World Championship in Berlin, where she became the youngest world champion in archery.
Despite her numerous achievements, Aditi's family lacks space to display her medals in their small tinshed home in Satara. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide, demonstrating that with unwavering dedication and family support, dreams can be turned into reality.
