Paris Olympics: Indian Men's and Women's archer team qualify for quarter-finals

Paris: In an electrifying showcase of skill and determination, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat ascended to the top of the archery ranks for India during the men's and women's ranking rounds at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Thursday.

Dhiraj Bommadevara’s journey was nothing short of a dramatic turnaround. Starting the competition in 24th place with a score of 335 from 36 shots, his initial struggle seemed daunting. But in a breathtaking second-half performance, Bommadevara found his rhythm, striking 23 10s, including nine Xs, from his remaining 36 shots. This stunning recovery catapulted him to fourth place with a total score of 681/720. His incredible comeback now sets up a thrilling round of 64 encounter against Adam Li of Czechia.

On the women's front, Ankita Bhakat delivered a season-best performance with a score of 666/720, securing 11th place in the ranking round. Bhakat’s consistency was key; she began eight of her 12 ends with Xs and the remaining four with 10s, accumulating nine Xs from 72 shots. Her stellar display under pressure has set the stage for an exciting clash with Poland’s Wioleta Myszor in the round of 64.

Former world No. 1 Deepika Kumari had a more subdued performance, earning the 23rd seed in the women’s individual event. Kumari, along with Bhajan Kaur, who secured the 22nd seed, face challenging matches against Estonia’s Reena Pernat and Indonesia’s Syifa Nurafifah Kamal, respectively.

The combined efforts of Bommadevara and Bhakat propelled India to the fifth seed in the mixed team event, where they will battle Indonesia in the round of 16. The men’s team, featuring Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav, clinched third place with a combined score of 2,013. Meanwhile, the women’s team, comprising Kumari, Bhajan Kaur, and Bhakat, finished fourth with a score of 1,983. Both teams have earned a bye to the quarter-finals, setting up potential face-offs against formidable opponents Turkiye or Colombia for the men, and France or the Netherlands for the women.

In a ranking round dominated by the Republic of Korea’s Lim Sihyeon, who set a world record with a score of 694, India’s archers stood their ground. Rai, in his fourth Olympics, finished 14th with 674 points, while Tokyo Olympian Pravin Jadhav scored 658 points, securing the 39th seed. Their upcoming matches against Great Britain’s Tom Hall and the People’s Republic of China’s Wenchao Kao promise to be gripping.

As the archery events at the Paris 2024 Olympics resume on July 28 and conclude on August 4, the anticipation is palpable. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the Indian archery team is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage. Stay tuned for what promises to be a series of thrilling showdowns as these archers aim for Olympic glory.