First Naga girl in Olympics

Nagaland added another feather to its cap when Chekrovolu Swuro booked a berth in the archery team for the Athens Olympics next year.

Chekrovolu, Dola Banerjee and Reena Kumari created history on Sunday, trouncing Turkey in the team pre-quarter-finals at the 42nd World Archery championship (Outdoor Target) in New York, as India finished among the top eight women teams, including Korea, Poland, Ukraine, Britain, France, Japan and China, who all qualified for the Olympics.

Chekrovolu is a Chakhesang tribal girl, who hails from the Phek district of Nagaland. She was selected to the Indian squad following sterling performances in regional and national tournaments. Realising her potential, the 20-year-old was absorbed by the Tata Archery Academy in Jharkhand a few years back.

Chakrovolu is the second Olympian from Nagaland. Fifty-five years back, Dr T. Ao captained the Indian football team to the 1948 London Olympics, where India finished fourth.

Also see:

Slide show: Indian archers in New York