Paris, Aug 3 (UNI) Indian archery enthusiasts faced a somber day as the nation’s campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics came to an end.
In a highly anticipated women’s individual quarterfinal match, former world number one Deepika Kumari fell short against South Korea’s Nam Suhyeon, losing 6-4.
Deepika, a seasoned four-time Olympian, started strong, leading 4-2 after three sets and appeared to be on her way to the semifinals. However, a pivotal moment occurred in the fourth set when a seven-point arrow shifted the momentum in Nam’s favor.
The South Korean archer capitalized on the opportunity, winning the final set 29-27 and securing her place in the semifinals. This victory also marked Nam as the third South Korean semifinalist in the event, highlighting the nation’s dominance in archery.
Earlier in the day, another Indian archer, 18-year-old Bhajan Kaur, faced a narrow defeat in the round of 16. Kaur competed against Indonesia’s Diananda Choirunisa in a closely contested match.
Despite trailing throughout, Kaur’s perseverance brought her back into contention with a crucial 10-point shot in the fourth set, forcing a shoot-off. However, in the one-shot decider, Kaur’s arrow landed at eight, while Choirunisa scored a nine to move on to the quarterfinals.
Kaur had previously showcased her talent by defeating Syifa Nurafifah Kamal of Indonesia and Wioleta Myszor of Poland in the earlier rounds.
The end of India’s archery journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics is a disappointment, but both Deepika and Kaur have demonstrated resilience and skill, making their country proud. As the Games continue, Indian fans will look forward to more memorable performances from their athletes in other sports.
