Winning is more of a habit for Vennam Jyothi Surekha. For her, the numbers do the talking.
With over 50 state medals (2008-2012), 62 national medals (from under-13 to senior national) and 50 medals in international events and counting — the ace archer and Arjuna awardee has been bettering her own record, hitting the bulls eye with utmost precision each time she steps into the arena.
“Since the beginning of my journey, I have been a firm believer that competition should be with oneself,” smiles Jyothi Surekha Vennam, one of India’s top archers, spoke to the Hyderabad Chronicle just hours after she and her teammates Aditi Swami and Parneet Kaur won gold in the women’s compound archery final team.
A day prior to that, Surekha and fellow archer Ojas Deotale won the gold medal in the compound mixed team event in archery, narrowly defeating their South Korean opponents by a single point. They secured victory with a final score of 159-158.
“I was completely focused on giving my best throughout the games. I didn’t make any changes to my equipment and used the same which I have been using all along,” says the 26-year-old Indian compound archery star, who is now preparing for the finals. Those around her have little doubt she will win the finals as well, based on her unique skill set and perseverance.
Prior to the Asian Games, Surekha was training in the national camp at Sports Authority of India (SAI) Sonepat. “Foreign coach Sergio Pagni and other top national coaches were present in the camp,” informs the champ, who has competed in 26 national competitions and 50 foreign tournaments thus far.
A swimmer
Born in Ramanagaram, Challapalli village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh in July 1996, Surekha is the only child of V Surendra Kumar, and V Sri Durga, who have been huge motivational figures in her life. Her parents introduced her to swimming when she was barely three. Two years later, Surekha swam across the Krishna River in three hours, twenty minutes, and six seconds, setting a new record. With that accomplishment, she was inducted into the Limca Book of Records (2002) as the youngest swimmer to cross the river. “I remember my parents taking me to the river for practice several times before the final attempt,” recalls the accomplished archer.
In love with the sport
Given the lack of sports infrastructure in Vijayawada, her parents decided to make their daughter try another sport. “They put me into archery as they wanted me to represent the country at the international level one day,” beams the 27-year-old, who has been making her parents, state and the country proud ever since.
Initially, she did not know much about archery. Eventually, she fell in love with the sport. “My first bow, a Hoyt Rintek bow will always be the most special one,” says Surekha, who completed her schooling from Nalanda Vidya Niketan, Vijayawada and graduated as a Computer Engineer (B. Tech.) from KL University, Vaddeswaram with distinction. She has done her PG in MBA from KL University.
Focus is the key
Since archery demands immense focus, Surekha indulges in yoga and meditation to keep calm and focused. “My gym sessions help me improve my shoulder strength,” informs the top archer, who also does cardio to keep fit.
On an average, she practices archery for six hours besides two hours of physical training daily. “Training is the key,” says Surekha, for whom the proudest moment in international events is when the Indian National Anthem is played.
Coming from a simple, down-to-earth family, Surekha’s parents and their struggles have been an inspiration for the archer, who is among the world’s top 10. “My father was a Kabbadi player and he instilled the love for sports in me,” says Surekha, who joined as a Deputy Collector in the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Between 2008 and 2012, she trained with a local archer J Rama Rao. Thereafter, she trained with the Indian Compound Archery chief coach Jiwanjot Singh Teja.
So what’s next ?
“After the Asian Games, we are having Asian Championships trails and Asian Championships which will be the last International tournament for this season,” informs Surekha, who has had no time to celebrate her wins at Asian Games as she has been busy preparing for baxk-to-back tournaments.
Awards and Accolades
Jyothi Surekha is the youngest Arjuna awardee from South India.
She is the first compound women archer to score 360/360. She is one of the member of the Compound women’s team which won First Gold Medal at the World Championships
Her 6-medal tally in World Cup, 2018 is the best by any Indian compound archer.
She has won 1st ever individual medal for India in women’s category in World Championship, 2019.
Awarded Arjuna Award for excellence in archery by Government of India in 2017.
Awarded Exceptional Achievement Award by Government of India in 2002.
Awarded with Pratibha Puraskar by Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2001.
Awarded with India Unbound Excellency Award 2018 for excellence in sports
Awarded the Golden Target award by the World Archery Federation in 2013.
