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.