Paris: The Indian mixed archery team, composed of Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara, narrowly missed out on a historic medal, losing 2-6 to the USA in the bronze medal play-off at the Olympic Games on Friday.
The Indian duo faced a formidable American team comprising Casey Kaufhold and Brady Ellison at the Invalides. Despite a valiant effort, India succumbed to the USA with scores of 37-38, 35-37, 38-34, 35-37, falling short in their quest for an Olympic medal in archery.
Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara had already made history by advancing to the semi-finals, marking the first time an Indian archery team had reached this stage at the Olympics. However, the semi-final match against the top-ranked South Korean team proved to be a tough challenge. The South Koreans showcased their dominance, defeating India and securing their place in the finals.
In the bronze medal play-off, the Indian team fought hard but was unable to maintain consistency under pressure. Ankita Bhakat, in particular, struggled to find her form, shooting two 7s that proved costly. The match saw the American duo capitalizing on these opportunities to secure the win and claim the bronze medal.
The South Korean team, following their victory over India, went on to dominate the finals, defeating Germany 6-0 to clinch the gold medal. Their exceptional performance underscored their status as the top team in the competition.
Despite falling short of a medal, the performance of Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara at the Paris Olympics remains a significant achievement for Indian archery. Their historic run to the semi-finals has set a new benchmark and inspires future generations of archers in India.