The series of disappointments for Indian archers continued at the Paris Olympics as Dhiraj Bommadevara faced a tough defeat in the men’s individual 1/16 round. In a gripping match against Canada’s Eric Peters, both archers delivered exceptional performances, frequently hitting 10s and keeping spectators on edge. Despite a strong start, Dhiraj fell short in the final moments, leading to his elimination.
The contest began with Dhiraj gaining an early advantage by scoring a 10 in the first set, but Peters, known for his precision, soon leveled the match. In the third set, Dhiraj managed to secure the lead by scoring two 10s while Peters hit three 9s. However, the fourth set saw both archers scoring 10s, resulting in a draw.
As the match neared its climax, Dhiraj was on the verge of advancing but a nine on his final shot allowed Peters to equalize and force a shoot-off. In this decisive round, both archers scored 10s, but Peters’ arrow was closer to the center, securing his progression to the next round and ending Dhiraj’s run in the singles event.
On a brighter note for India, Bhajan Kaur advanced to the Round of 16 in the women’s individual recurve archery by defeating Poland’s experienced Wioleta Myzsor with a commanding 6-0 victory. Kaur dominated the match, starting with a strong opening set where she scored 10, 9, and 9 for a total of 29. Myzsor struggled with an 8 in her first shot and could only manage 26 points in the first set. Kaur continued her impressive performance with two 10s in the second set, taking a 4-0 lead. Myzsor’s final attempt in the third set did not suffice, sealing her elimination and Kaur’s advancement in the competition.