Historic Yet Heartbreaking Moment for Indian Archery at Paris Olympics
New Delhi: In a historic yet heartbreaking turn of events, Indian archers Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara narrowly missed out on clinching the country’s first-ever Olympic medal in the sport at the Paris Olympics 2024. The duo fell 2-6 to the American team of Casey Kaufhold and Brady Ellison in a gripping bronze medal match in the mixed team event on Friday.
The Indian pair’s journey through the tournament was marked by impressive performances that set them apart from their competitors. Bhakat and Bommadevara made history by becoming the first Indian archers to compete in an Olympic medal match. Their path to this milestone included a thrilling semifinal clash against the formidable South Korean team of Siheye Lim and Wo Jin Kim. Despite taking an early 2-0 lead, the Indians couldn’t hold their advantage and eventually lost the match, which was a tough blow after a promising start.
In the bronze medal match, the USA team came out strong, winning the opening set 38-37. Bhakat struggled in the second set, allowing the Americans to extend their lead to 4-0. Despite a valiant effort to claw back in the third round, where Bommadevara hit several strong shots, the deficit proved too great to overcome. Bhakat’s continued difficulties in the final set allowed the Americans to seal their victory with a score of 37-35.
Though the fourth-place finish was a heart-wrenching result, it is also a landmark achievement for Indian archery. Bhakat and Bommadevara’s performance at the Paris Olympics showcased their skill and dedication, setting a new benchmark for the sport in India. Their success in reaching the semifinals and their consistent scoring throughout the tournament reflect their potential to achieve even greater heights in future international competitions.
While the narrow miss of the bronze medal is a poignant reminder of how close they came to making history, the experience gained from this campaign is expected to provide valuable insights and motivation for Indian archery’s future endeavors. The journey of Bhakat and Bommadevara, marked by both triumph and disappointment, stands as a testament to their resilience and the growing strength of Indian archery on the global stage.
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