June 5: Bhutan will be represented by two archers at the Beijing Olympics in August this year. With only two months left for the Olympics, the practice is in full swing.

Dorji Dema and Tashi Peljor are the two archers who would be representing Bhutan at the Beijing Olympics. They defeated 15 other archers before they were selected to represent Bhutan. But this is just the beginning. In the coming months they will have to sharpen their shooting skills to compete with some of the world’s best archers at the Olympics. For that, Mr. Kim Hag Yong from South Korea has been hired to train the two.

Dorji Dema and Tashi Peljor have been undergoing intensive training under his coaching for the past one month. The training will only become vigorous with the dates drawing closer. They practice for more than six hours every day. But they said coping with the new shooting technique taught by the coach is difficult. They said they cannot score much with the new technique and it bothers them while practicing.

The archers are being trained on shooting technique, aiming and physical training. The assistant coach Tshering Choden said initially it is difficult for the archers to cope with the new technique. But gradually with practice, she said they will get used to it.

Coach Kim Hag Yong is however optimistic. He said during the next two months, the two archers will have to undergo intensive trainings to prepare both physically and mentally. He said he has high expectations from the two and is hoping that they will bring home medals.

This is the second time Tashi Peljor will be taking part in the Olympics but for Dorji Dema it is her first time. They will be leaving for Beijing towards the end of July.