Shoulder injury clouds Deepika’s Rio build-up

NEW DELHI: With a month to go for the Rio Olympics, top woman archer Deepika Kumari is grappling with a shoulder injury.

Deepika, the leader of the women’s team which includes Bombayla Devi and Laxmi Rani Majhi, is barely able to lift her right shoulder.

Deepika was flown to Mumbai to consult a shoulder specialist at the Breach Candy Hospital following the flare up. She has been administered an injection in her bicep tendon by Dr Sunil Desai. Initially, he prescribed medication but that was not an option as she needs to train regularly with the Rio Games starting on August 5.

On Monday, Deepika was in discomfort during a function. She was even having difficulty holding the mobile in her right hand. After initial reluctance to discuss the problem, Deepika said she has had this condition for a month. “It is a slight trouble on my right shoulder, but I’ll be okay soon,” the 22-year-old said.

Those familiar with her condition say that there is swelling, which will remain for another day or two, but she will be okay after that.

“She has had this pain for a while. The first three or four minutes when she is shooting arrows in training, that is when it really hurt the most. But as her body warmed up, it used to be okay. So, we took her to a shoulder specialist in Mumbai. It’s not a major injury, she will be okay in a week,” said a source adding that Deepika has enough time to recover and was confident she will board the flight to Rio.

If she doesn’t recover, Rimil Buriuly, fourth in the archery association’s Olympic rankings, will in all probability take her spot.