India's Historic Archery Journey Ends in Heartbreak

India’s Historic Archery Journey Ends in Heartbreak

India’s historic Olympic archery journey came to a heart-wrenching end as Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, losing 2-6 to the USA’s Casey Kaufhold and Brady Ellison.

The Indian duo made history by becoming the first archers to reach an Olympic medal match, but their dream of a podium finish was shattered in the bronze medal contest. The first set was a close affair, with the USA pair edging out India 38-37. Ankita’s 7-pointer at the start of the set proved costly for India.

The pressure mounted in the second set, and Ankita’s first arrow was a low 7. Despite Casey’s 8-pointer, Brady’s double 10 gave the USA a commanding 4-0 lead. India fought back in the third set, with Dhiraj’s 10, 9, and 9, 10 combination. Casey’s weak link for the USA, shooting 7 and 8 in this set.

However, in the decider, Ankita faltered again with a double 8. Dhiraj’s 9 and 10 were not enough as Brady and Casey shot 10, 9, and 9, 9 to win the fourth set 37-35 and secure the bronze medal.

Earlier in the day, Ankita and Dhiraj had made history by reaching the semi-finals, where they faced the two-time Olympic finalists from Korea. The Indian pair started strongly, taking the first set 36-38, but the Koreans fought back to win the second set 38-35.

In the quarterfinal, India defeated Spain 38-37 38-38 36-37 37-36. Ankita and Dhiraj took the first set 38-37, but Spain tied the scores in the second set 38-all. India’s 3-1 advantage was neutralized in the third set, but they held their nerves in the fourth set to win 37-36 and secure a semifinal spot.

The Indian recurve mixed team had also performed admirably, rallying past Indonesia to enter the quarterfinals. Dhiraj and Ankita consistently shot 9s and 10s, with Ankita shooting 10s in her last three attempts to take the pair into the last eight stage.

Archery's Tiny Margins: Dhiraj Bommadevara's Heartbreaking Defeat

Archery’s Tiny Margins: Dhiraj Bommadevara’s Heartbreaking Defeat

Archery, a sport of precision and minute margins, witnessed a heart-wrenching defeat for India’s Dhiraj Bommadevara in the Round of 32 at the ongoing Commonwealth Games. In a nail-biting shoot-off against Canada’s Eric Peters, both archers hit a perfect 10. However, Peters’ arrow landed a mere 2.4 cm closer to the center (X), resulting in Dhiraj’s elimination.

The target face in archery measures 122 cm in diameter, with the 10-ring spanning 12.2 cm. Archers stand a staggering 70m away from the target, making the distance equivalent to approximately 3/4ths of a football field.

“The bow and release must align perfectly with the X, with a precision of at least 2 mm,” explains Sanjeeva Singh, an archery Dronacharya awardee. “Even a 0.01 percent error in finger release can result in the arrow missing the X.”

In contrast to Dhiraj’s misfortune, India’s Deepika Kumari experienced a stroke of luck in the Round of 64. She won a shoot-off with an 8, despite her Estonian opponent Reena Parnat also shooting an 8. Deepika’s arrow was closer to the center (123.3mm) than Parnat’s (146.7mm).

Deepika’s luck continued in the next round when her Dutch opponent Quinty Roeffen shot a zero, her arrow landing outside the 10 concentric circles. This rare occurrence propelled Deepika to the Round of 16 in the individual competition.

Despite hitting only three 10s in 12 arrows against Roeffen, Deepika’s performance was sufficient to advance. She joins Bhajan Kaur as the second Indian female archer to reach the quarterfinals. Deepika’s next challenge will be against world No. 13 Michelle Kroppen, a formidable opponent who will test her limits.

Indian Archers Aim for Olympic Glory After Historic Ranking Rounds

Indian Archers Aim for Olympic Glory After Historic Ranking Rounds

Indian archery has set its sights on ending a 36-year Olympic medal drought at the Tokyo Games, buoyed by its impressive performance in the ranking rounds. With a full six-member contingent competing in all five categories, India has a strong chance of multiple medals.

The men’s and women’s teams, seeded straight to the quarterfinals, need two wins to secure a historic first Olympic medal. They will avoid archery powerhouse South Korea in the early rounds, but could face them in the semifinals.

The women’s team, led by Ankita Bhakat, Bhajan Kaur, and Deepika Kumari, will face the winners of France and the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. France, ranked fifth in the qualifiers, will be the favorites, but India has a slight edge in average arrow score.

Deepika, a former world No. 1, has struggled in the ranking rounds but remains a key player. Her experience and ability to perform under pressure will be crucial.

The men’s team, featuring Games debutant Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav, is considered the most likely to win a medal. They upset South Korea in the Shanghai World Cup and are ranked third in the qualification round.

Dhiraj, in particular, has been in red-hot form and will also be a contender in the individual rounds. He will look to overcome the disappointment of his Asian Games performance, where he botched up his release twice in the quarterfinals.

In the mixed team event, India is seeded fifth and will face Indonesia in the opening round. They could potentially face China and South Korea in the later rounds.

Overall, Indian archery has a strong chance of making history at the Tokyo Games. With a talented team and a favorable draw, they are poised to end their long wait for an Olympic medal.

Indian Archery Teams Qualify for Quarterfinals at Paris Olympics

Indian Archery Teams Qualify for Quarterfinals at Paris Olympics

India’s archery contingent made a promising start at the Paris Olympics, with both the men’s and women’s teams securing quarterfinal berths in the recurve event.

The women’s trio of Ankita Bhakat, Bhajan Kaur, and Deepika Kumari impressed with a combined score of 666 points, placing fourth in the standings. Bhakat, a debutant at the Games, emerged as the top-ranked Indian archer, finishing 11th in the individual qualifications.

In the men’s team event, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Ramesh Jadhav combined for a score of 2013 points, finishing third behind South Korea and France. Bommadevara, who made a remarkable comeback in the ranking round, finished fourth in the singles qualifying with a score of 681.

South Korea’s Lim Sihyeon set a new world record with a score of 694 in the individual competition, while her compatriot Suhyeon Nam finished second with 688 points. China’s Yang Xiaolei secured the third position with 673 points.

Despite her impressive team performance, Deepika Kumari, a four-time Olympian, had a disappointing outing in the individual qualifications, recording her worst-ever result at the Games. As a result, she missed out on the mixed team berth for the first time, with Ankita set to partner Bommadevara in the mixed team finals.

The top four teams in both the men’s and women’s events earned direct entry into the quarterfinals, bypassing the Round of 16 fixtures. India’s women’s team will face either France or the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, while the men’s team will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

If successful in the quarterfinals, India could face a formidable challenge against the South Korean team, renowned for their dominance in Olympic archery. The Korean women’s team has been particularly invincible, securing their ninth consecutive Olympic medal in Tokyo three years ago.

Indian Archer Dhiraj Bommadevara Finishes Fourth in Paris Olympics Ranking Round

Indian Archer Dhiraj Bommadevara Finishes Fourth in Paris Olympics Ranking Round

Dhiraj Bommadevara, a 22-year-old Indian archer, has made a remarkable impression at the Paris Olympics 2024, finishing fourth in the men’s archery ranking round. His impressive performance propelled India to the quarterfinals of the team event.

Hailing from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, Dhiraj’s archery journey began in 2006 at the Volga Archery Academy. After four years of training at the Army Sports Institute in Pune, he joined the Indian Army in 2021.

Ranked 15th in the world, Dhiraj secured his berth for the Paris Olympics in Bangkok. In the lead-up to the competition, he claimed a bronze medal at the World Cup 2024 in Antalya, Turkey.

Dhiraj’s achievements extend beyond the Paris Olympics. He was part of the Indian men’s team that won a silver medal at the Asian Games 2023, alongside Atanu Das and Tushar Shelke. He also made his international debut in 2017 and won his first major title at the 2021 World Archer Youth Championships.

In the women’s archery ranking round, India’s team secured a fourth-place finish, earning a spot in the quarterfinals. Ankita Bhakat finished 11th with a season-best score of 666, while Bhajan Kaur placed 22nd with 659 points. Deepika Kumari, a four-time Olympian, finished 23rd with 658 points.

Dhiraj Bommadevara’s performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 is a testament to his hard work and dedication. His achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also inspired aspiring archers across the country.

Indian Men's Recurve Team Reclaims World Cup Gold After 14 Years

Indian Men’s Recurve Team Reclaims World Cup Gold After 14 Years

Dhiraj Bommadevara, the lone Indian recurve archer to secure an Olympic quota for Paris 2024, played a pivotal role in India’s historic triumph at the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai. The Indian men’s recurve team, comprising Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Ramesh Jadhav, defeated archery powerhouse Korea in the title round, reclaiming the gold medal after a 14-year hiatus.

Bommadevara, a beneficiary of the Sports Ministry’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), also bagged a bronze medal in the mixed team event alongside Ankita Bhakat. India’s victory over Mexico in straight sets marked their second medal in Shanghai.

In an exclusive interview with SAI Media, Bommadevara shared his insights on the team’s success, their mindset, and their aspirations for the Paris Olympics.

On the Historic Gold Medal:

“We’re overjoyed,” Bommadevara exclaimed. “We executed our plan and maintained our focus throughout the competition.”

On the Team’s Mindset:

“We focused solely on our game and ignored our opponents,” Bommadevara explained. “We maintained clear communication and supported each other through every situation.”

On Team Bonding:

“Tarundeep Rai, Pravin, and I are all from the Indian Army, so we spend a lot of time together,” Bommadevara said. “We’ve developed a strong chemistry that translates into our performances.”

On Being the Youngest Member:

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from my experienced teammates,” Bommadevara stated. “I’m constantly striving to improve and avoid repeating mistakes.”

On India’s Chances at Paris 2024:

“Our chances are promising,” Bommadevara asserted. “We’re working towards converting our individual quota into a team quota. Our priority is to qualify as a team and then give our best in Paris. We’re not setting expectations but preparing for every scenario.”

On the Impact of Tarundeep Rai:

“Tarundeep Rai’s experience is invaluable,” Bommadevara said. “He shares his tactical and philosophical insights, which helps us immensely. His dedication inspires us to push ourselves.”

On the Mental Strength of Indian Archers:

“We’re focused on improving ourselves rather than comparing ourselves to others,” Bommadevara explained. “We learn from our mistakes and strive to perform better.”

On the Impact of the Compound Team:

“Our compound team is world-class,” Bommadevara said. “Their success motivates us to raise our own standards. Jyothi Surekha’s ability to handle pressure in various events is truly inspiring.”

On the Support from TOPS:

“TOPS has provided me with financial stability and allowed me to focus solely on my game,” Bommadevara said. “It has alleviated the financial burden on my family and enabled me to pursue my Olympic dream.”

Indian Archers Secure Medal at Archery World Cup Stage 1

Indian Archers Secure Medal at Archery World Cup Stage 1

Shanghai, China – The Indian archery trio of Tarundeep Rai, Dhiraj Bommadevara, and Pravin Jadhav have secured a medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 1 after reaching the men’s recurve final on Thursday.

The Indian team, seeded second behind reigning world and Olympic champions South Korea, displayed their dominance by defeating Italy 5-1 in the semifinals without dropping a set. They will now face the top-seeded Korean trio of Kim Woojin, Lee Woo Seok, and Kim Je Deok in the gold medal match on Sunday.

The Korean trio, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, defeated Chinese Taipei’s Tan Chih-Chun, Lin Zih-Siang, and Tai Yu-Hsuan in straight sets 6-0 in the other semifinal.

Earlier, the Indians received a first-round bye in the season-opening tournament. They overcame a first-set deficit to beat 15th-seeded Indonesia 5-3 in their opening clash. They then showcased their prowess against seventh-seeded Spain, dropping just one point in the first set before cruising to a 5-1 victory to reach the semifinals.

Meanwhile, the Indian women’s team of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and Bhajan Kaur, ranked sixth in the qualifiers, had a disappointing performance. They lost a 3-1 lead to Mexico in their opening clash. After receiving a bye in the first round, the Indian women’s team held a 3-1 lead in the second set. However, their scores were below par, and they lost 3-5. They hit twice in the red ring 7 in the opening set, dropped down to the sixth ring in the third set, and managed two eights in the final set.

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