Through the three stages of this year’s Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit, Lily Chanu Paonam didn’t finish outside the top 10 in any of the individual, mixed team and compound women’s team events in which she competed.
Paonam has shot internationally for more than four years, but never taken an individual medal at a world event.
“This is the first time I’m at a World Cup Final. I have shot team and mixed team finals but never individually,” said Lily. “I got a little bit nervous and Marcella [Tonioli] did very well.”
Lily lost her Odense quarterfinal by seven points, 147-140.
Now she’s had that finals arena experience, Lily said she would do much better next time.
“Having the chance to see the best archers in the world competing here makes me feel fortunate,” she said. “But I guess that by me being here it also means that I’m one of them, which is great, but also hard to believe.”
Lily, a 28-year-old from Imphal, Manipur, believes that her hard work, self-confidence and relationship with her coach will take her further in the future. Especially, as she pursues her dream in archery: winning the Asian Games.
“I would like to become an Asian Games Champion. It’s an event that gathers a lot of attention in our country, probably the only one comparable to the Olympic Games for us,” she said.
Lily’s dream in Odense finished earlier than expected, but she will stay in the stands to root for one other special archer: “Crystal Gauvin, she’s my favourite here in Odense. I hope she wins.”
The 2016 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final runs 24/25 September in Odense, Denmark.
