"Upset that I wasn’t able to win medal for the country" - Veteran archer Tarundeep Rai calls time on his illustrious career

Indian archery fans held their breath as Tarundeep Rai prepared to shoot his final arrow of the fifth set of his match against Tom Hall at the Paris Olympics. It was a see-saw battle between Rai and his British opponent. Coming back from behind, Rai hit perfect 10s with his last two shots. A third consecutive 10 would take the match into a shoot-off.

Alas, Rai missed the mark. His arrow hit 9. The set was tied and consequently, Rai failed to make it to the next round. Soon, the world would know that it was the last arrow the veteran would shoot in his professional career.

"This was the last match of my life," Rai told to All India Radio after the match. "It's okay. I played well. I played like how I planned."

Rai's résumé boasts an impressive tally of medals. In his 21-year career, he won three gold and six silver medals at the World Cup Stage, to go along with two medals each at the Asian Games and the World Archery Championships. However, what he yearned for was a podium finish at the Olympics.

Rai and the Indian archery fraternity wanted to win a medal in Paris. After all, Indian archery hasn't seen too many greater servants than Rai. He began his international career as a teenager back in 2003. Here, he stood as a 40-year-old making his fourth Olympic appearance. However, he couldn't win a medal at the quadrennial games.

"(I am a) little upset that I wasn’t able to win medal for the country. But it's okay. It happens. It's life," Rai added.

A big part of an archer's training is about learning to keep his/her emotions and heart rate in check. After all, the sport requires him/her to judge the wind, take the aim and shoot at a target 70 meters away—all usually within 20 seconds.

Hence, being composed and focused is important. Though, as Rai spoke further, one could sense the armor cracking and visceral emotions taking over.

"You make me emotional now," he said to the interviewer. "It’s okay. One day everyone has to vacate the seat for others. So, I am happy. I think the more deserving person will come in Indian Archery. So that one day they can win the medal."

While this marks the end of Rai's journey as a player, he still hopes to come back to the Olympics. When asked about the idea of coaching the Indian team, he said:

"That will be the greatest next thing if I will be the coach and my guys win a medal for the country," he said.

Tarundeep Rai to open an archery academy in his home state Sikkim

Tarundeep Rai hopes to contribute to Indian archery in other capacities after retirement.

"I hope I will do coaching and mentoring as well as administrating (and improving) the things which are lacking in Indian Archery. We’ll see," Rai told All India Radio.

While the exact long-term path is yet to be decided, Rai's next aim is to set up an archery academy in his home state of Sikkim. The building blocks for which are already in place.

"So far, I can say that I am going to run an academy. I just want to open my academy in Sikkim. It is already in the construction stage. By next two years it will be fully operated," Rai added.

Rai's dream of winning a medal at the Olympics might have remained unfulfilled, but his contribution to Indian archery is undeniable. His legacy is etched in the annals of Indian sports and will continue to inspire the next generation.