Bhojpur Archer Sanskriti Raj Wins Silver at Junior Nationals

From a ₹6,000 Bow to a National Silver: Bhojpur’s Sanskriti Raj Is Making Her Mark in Archery

A bow bought with ₹6,000 in savings has helped open the way to a national medal for a young archer from Bihar. Sanskriti Raj, from Akhtiyarpur village in Bhojpur district, has won silver at the Junior National Archery Championship in Jaipur.

Behind the medal is a story of personal loss, financial struggle and steady determination. Sanskriti lost her mother when she was just eight. Yet, with her father’s support and the guidance of a coach who recognised her potential, she continued to pursue archery.

Her achievement is more than a personal milestone. It also brings attention to the sporting talent that can emerge from Bihar’s villages when young athletes receive the chance to train and compete.

Sanskriti Raj’s Journey from Akhtiyarpur to the National Podium

Sanskriti comes from Akhtiyarpur village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district. Her journey into archery began in 2023, when coaches visited schools to identify promising young athletes.

At the time, Sanskriti was a Class VIII student at Akhtiyarpur School. International archery coach Neeraj Kumar Singh noticed her potential and selected her for training.

That opportunity marked the beginning of a new chapter. Since then, Sanskriti has represented Bihar in School Games and junior and senior national-level competitions.

Now, her silver medal at the Junior National Archery Championship in Jaipur has brought her achievement into the national spotlight.

The ₹6,000 Bow That Helped Start Her Dream

A father’s support through difficult circumstances

Sanskriti’s father, Mukesh Gupta, has played a central role in her journey. He worked for a long time at a jewellery shop to support the family.

After his wife’s death, he secured a job as a peon at Kshatriya High School in Ara on compassionate grounds. Even with limited resources, he continued to support his daughter’s ambition.

When Sanskriti needed equipment to begin archery, Mukesh managed to save ₹6,000 to buy her first bow and arrows. That purchase became an important step in her sporting journey.

The bow was modest in cost, but it gave Sanskriti the equipment she needed to begin training.

Early-Morning Practice and the Discipline Behind the Medal

Sanskriti trains at Veer Kunwar Singh Stadium in Ara, around six to seven kilometres from her village. Despite the distance, she regularly reaches the stadium by 7 am for practice.

The routine demands discipline and commitment. Meanwhile, consistent training has helped her improve and compete at higher levels.

Her progress also reflects the role of coaching. Neeraj Kumar Singh’s guidance has supported her development since he identified her talent in 2023.

Together, access to training, family encouragement and Sanskriti’s own effort have helped her move from a school-level discovery to a national championship medal.

Silver at the Junior National Archery Championship in Jaipur

Sanskriti recently secured second place at the Junior National Archery Championship in Jaipur, winning the silver medal among competitors from across India.

The result marks a significant achievement in her young career. However, her journey is still moving forward.

Sanskriti is currently studying at S.B. School in Maulabagh, Ara. She has also been selected to represent Bihar at the upcoming Senior National Archery Championship in Meghalaya.

The next competition will give her another opportunity to test her skills against senior-level competitors. Her silver medal in Jaipur provides an important milestone as she prepares for that challenge.

What Sanskriti’s Achievement Means for Bihar’s Sporting Talent

Sanskriti’s story draws attention to a wider question: how many young athletes in Bihar could progress if they receive the right opportunity, equipment and coaching?

Her journey began when a coach visited a school and spotted her potential. That moment mattered because it connected talent with training.

Her father’s support also shows how much families can contribute, even when financial resources are limited. The ₹6,000 bow became possible through savings and sacrifice, while Sanskriti’s regular practice turned that opportunity into progress.

Importantly, her medal does not mean that every young athlete will follow the same path. But it shows why school-level talent scouting, accessible sports facilities and sustained coaching can matter.

For Bihar, Sanskriti Raj is a reminder that sporting ambition can grow in villages as well as cities. And when young athletes get the chance to compete, their achievements can bring wider recognition to the communities they represent.

As Sanskriti prepares for the Senior National Archery Championship in Meghalaya, her story continues. The silver medal is an achievement in its own right—and a new step in a journey that began with a young girl, a coach who saw potential and a father who found a way to buy her first bow.

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