At just 14 years old, Khushreet Sandhu is redefining what it means to aim high. After only three years in the sport, the rising star from Manitoba has already set Canadian records, won multiple provincial and national titles, and now has just represented Canada on one of the world’s largest stages: the World Archery Youth Championships.
Held earlier this year in Winnipeg, the tournament brought together 582 athletes from 67 countries. It was the first time the city hosted an international archery tournament, making Sandhu’s participation all the more meaningful. Competing in the U18 Compound category, she joined Jordyn Polowaniuk (Alberta) and Anya Pinel (Ontario) to represent Canada. In the qualification round, the budding athlete shot 72 arrows from 50 meters away, aiming to hit a maximum score of 720. In the elimination rounds, she fired 15 arrows in hopes of a perfect score of 150.
Ultimately, Sandhu delivered a standout performance, finishing fifth in the qualification round—just seven points shy of the top seed—despite battling challenging wind conditions. In both the mixed team and team events—as well as her individual match—the rising star narrowly missed advancing past the quarterfinals, falling short by just a single point each time.
However, beyond the scoreboard, Sandhu’s determination and composure under pressure were clear. This tournament marked not just a milestone but the beginning of many more competitive chapters in her promising journey. For Sandhu, the moment is not just a personal achievement but a national honor. “I felt very grateful for the opportunity to represent my country at my age.”
Backtracking to the beginning, Sandhu first discovered archery through a documentary about Indian archer Deepika Kumari. "I was really inspired by her story, which led me to try archery," she recalls. What started as curiosity quickly transformed into passion. "The part I love most about archery is seeing my progress and beating my personal records in practice and in tournaments."
Sandhu trains five to six hours daily and holds an impressive array of titles and accomplishments:
- Silver Medal – Provincial Indoor Target Championship, Winnipeg, MB (March 2023)
- 4th Place – North Dakota Championship, Yankton, USA (September 2023)
- Gold Medal – Manitoba Provincial Outdoor Championship, Winnipeg (September 2023)
- Gold Medal – Manitoba Provincial Indoor Championship, Winnipeg (March 2024)
- Gold Medal – National West Cup, Winnipeg (May 2024)
- Gold Medal – Archery National Tournament, Fredericton, NB (August 2024)
- Gold Medal – Manitoba Outdoor Target Championship, Winnipeg (September 2024)
- Gold Medal – Manitoba Indoor Championship, Winnipeg (April 2025)
- Gold Medal – National West Cup, Calgary (June 2025)
- Canadian Open Record Holder – 18-metre Indoor Round, Score: 583 (May 2025), surpassing her previous record of 578.
Her proudest moment so far? “At the Canada Cup West, I not only clinched gold in both the qualifying and elimination rounds, but I also displayed my best performance under tournament pressure after a very challenging season last year,” she shares.
Archery, often misunderstood as a purely physical sport, demands far more from the mind. "Though it looks a little physical, archery has a 90% mental aspect," Sandhu explains. “My coaches teach me mental strategies to cope with in-game stress in good and bad performances. Some of the most effective strategies are only moving one end/one arrow at a time to prevent overloading my brain with thoughts about scores. The mental side is a really big and key factor in it. Experiencing pressure and the ability to control it and have pinpoint accuracy in that pressure is very hard."
Moreover, balancing the intense demands of elite sport with school life is no easy feat. “Archery asks for a lot of practice in order to stay consistent,” she shares. “I learned to balance these two by acknowledging my priorities and recognizing the importance of each when needed.”
While archery currently dominates her life, Sandhu also keeps an open mind about the future. “I hope to pursue professional archery as a career, but this may or may not change as I progress further into archery and my schooling. In case archery is no longer my decision, I’m looking into studying medicine.”
No journey of this magnitude is achieved alone, and Sandhu is quick to credit those around her. “I truly owe all the achievements I’ve received to my family and coaches. My parents are very supportive and sacrifice all of their time and money toward my sport,” she highlights. “My coaches, Amanjeet Singh and Joel Brugger, have played a major role in my career. Their expertise, encouragement, and commitment towards my performance are priceless. I value all their efforts and support as a blessing.”
As she continues to compete on global stages, Sandhu carries not just the weight of her arrows but also the dreams of countless young athletes who look up to her. Her message to them is simple yet powerful: “Only focus on what matters most to your future. If you know something you are doing right now isn’t reflecting what your future is asking for, then don’t do it.”
In an era where young people are often overwhelmed by choices and distractions, Khushreet Sandhu stands as a testament to clarity, discipline, and heart. With every arrow she draws, she isn’t just aiming for a target; she’s aiming for a future she’s building with every ounce of focus, dedication, and gratitude.