Indian archer Rakesh Kumar made a remarkable start to his Paralympic campaign, showcasing his exceptional accuracy and composure in the compound men’s category. Despite challenging weather conditions, Kumar emerged victorious against Senegal’s Aliou Drame with a score of 136-131, securing his place in the pre-quarterfinals.
The heavy downpour posed a significant challenge for the archers, making it difficult to aim precisely. However, Kumar, an experienced archer and Asian Para Games silver medalist, remained unfazed. He began the match with a perfect 10 in the first end, setting the tone for his dominant performance.
Drame managed to narrow the gap slightly in the second end, but Kumar quickly regained control. He extended his lead to five points in the third end, delivering two flawless 10s that further solidified his dominance. As the contest progressed, Kumar continued to demonstrate his superior form, establishing a six-point lead by winning the fourth end.
Despite Drame’s efforts to mount a comeback, particularly with his strong performance in the final end where he dropped just one point, Kumar’s substantial lead ensured that his place in the last-16 was never in doubt. The Indian archer’s steady hand and unyielding focus proved too much for his opponent, securing a well-deserved victory.
Kumar’s performance has garnered widespread praise on social media, with netizens applauding his determination and ability to thrive in such testing conditions. One user even compared Rakesh’s excellent archery skills to viral Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who went viral on social media platforms during the Olympics.
The fifth-seeded Rakesh Kumar will now face Indonesia’s Ken Swagumilang, the 12th seed, in the pre-quarterfinals. With momentum firmly on his side, Kumar will be aiming to continue his winning streak and secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
