When Harvinder Singh became the first Indian archer to win gold in the Paris Paralympics, after settling for bronze in Tokyo three years ago, it was a culmination of a decade-long odyssey that began only when he turned 21. Despite playing five matches in a day, he showed no signs of weariness and comprehensively outclassed the Polish archer Likasz Ciszek 6-0 in the final. From his humble roots in Haryana’s Kaithal district to his extraordinary triumphs in Tokyo and Paris, Harvinder has come a long way, and his is a journey of unwavering determination and zeal.
He was always fond of the sport, but the idea of competing at a professional level never crossed his mind until he watched his first Paralympics, London 2012, on television. In a discipline where early beginnings provide a distinct advantage, Harvinder found himself to be a late bloomer, unable to dedicate all his time to honing his craft. Being an academically bright student throughout his life, he didn’t want to ditch his studies and go all in with his newfound pursuit. But maintaining a balance between athletics and academics wasn't easy and it would eventually take a toll on him. “The struggle was unreal in the first few years. I was not satisfied with my performance, the improvement was painstakingly slow, and I decided to quit archery just after three years,” says the 33-year-old athlete.
It was a godly intervention from his coach Jeevan Joshi, who convinced him to keep continuing, and in 2016, he changed his event from compound to recurve and ended up winning bronze at the national level. In 2017, he made his international debut for India, winning the world championship. A year later, he would end up winning gold in the Asian Para Games, his third international competition. “I can say that my career has come back on track, and I kept winning medals in almost every competition I played,” tells Harvinder, adding that he dreamt of winning the Paralympics gold the day he took up archery, and he knew it would take a lot of time. “I knew I would have to go through multiple hurdles just to compete in Paralympics. But my strategy was to follow the steps and be patient. I cleared all my trials at the state level, then won a medal at the national level, and made way to the Paralympics team,” he reveals.
At 33, Harvinder is just getting started. He is not going to rest on his laurels and is now planning to compete in the regular category. He was all set to represent the Indian contingent for the World Field Archery Championships this month, but a string of felicitations and events that's lined up for him just made it untenable. His life has changed a lot since he won the gold, admits Harvinder. “I knew the happiness of winning bronze, but only after the Paris Paralympics did, I realise there's something different about winning gold. To win the biggest award in the world's most prestigious competition is a great achievement. I am now recognised everywhere, and the love I have been receiving from everyone in this country is very special,” he says.
He is acutely aware of his duty to his fellow para-athletes. With newfound acclaim and a platform, he is determined to leverage his status for the advancement of disabled athletes nationwide. “After winning gold, I have received numerous calls and messages related to sports. I make it a point to respond and provide guidance to individuals interested in pursuing Paralympic sports. With more people expressing a desire to become Paralympians, I am committed to offering support and encouragement. If I can make someone's life with a few words of encouragement, why would I shy away?”
Now that his dream of winning Paralympics gold has materialised, he is focussing on his second goal—one that is just equally significant for him. Currently pursuing his PhD in Economics, Harvinder wants to get done with his main thesis in the next six months or so.
