Deepika Kumari in action at the Paris Olympics (AP)
Deepika took the 2nd-seeded South Korean to 5 sets of 28-26, 25-28, 29-28, 27-29, 27-29 before ultimately losing out on the semifinal spot.
The Indian contingent’s dream of bringing home the first-ever archery medal at the Olympics comes to an abrupt end as India’s Deepika Kumari fell to South Korea’s Suhyeon Nam in a thrilling quarterfinals of the Women’s Individual event at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
Deepika took the 2nd-seeded South Korean to 5 sets of 28-26, 25-28, 29-28, 27-29, 27-29 before ultimately losing out on the semifinal spot.
The 19-year-old Nam started off in pristine fashion, scoring a perfect 10 with her first shot to get going. But, a determined Deepika wouldn’t flater and would post a strong set of 9,10,9 to end strong with 28 points and gain the initial edge over the South Korean who would put up 26.
With the first two points of the match in the bag for Deepika, the Indian would confidently march onwards in the second set as well to hit the bullseye out the gate. But, a wayward shot that garnered just 6 points for Deepika on her second shot would allow Nam run away with the second set 28-25, tying the match at 2-2.
With a valuable 2 points on the line, both archers would begin the third set with a 10 and 9 each. After Nam finished with a strong 28 with a 9 in her last shot, Deepika would find the bullseye again to edge out Nam 29-28, and inch closer to victory at 4-2.
Fighting to get back into the tie, Nam would start off with yet another perfect 10, only for the experienced Indian to mirror her. But, a loose arrow and a pase of concentration from Deepika would lead to her scoring an 8 in her scond shot, and slump to a 27-29 defeat to Nam, as both archers were tied at 4-4 each with one last set to play for.
Nam’s strong opening habit of scoring 10 would continue as the South Korean would take the early lead. And with one shot left and a 10 needed for Nam to secure the win, she would find the bullseye by mere millimeters and put away the Indian in the last set to win the match 6-4.
India’s Deepika Kumari qualified for the quarterfinals of the women’s individual archery event after defeating Germany’s Michelle Kroppen in the 1/8 elimination round, in a close call.
Earlier on Wednesday, Deepika defeated Netherlands’ Quinty Roeffen 6-2 and went on to join compatriot Bhajan Kaur in the Round of 16.
Bhajan fought well but her Indonesian opponent was far too good on the day, and got eliminated.
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