Deepika Kumari Loses in Paris Olympics Amidst Dramatic Quarters

Indian archer Deepika Kumari fell short in her quarterfinal match at the Paris Olympics, losing 4-6 to Korea's Suhyeon Nam. Despite starting strong by winning two of the first three sets, a misfire — a shot scoring only seven — in the fourth set allowed Nam to push for and win the final set.

Deepika's journey had been marked by an initial victory over Germany's Michelle Kroppen with a score of 6-4. However, she could not sustain the momentum against Nam, leading to another disappointing finish for her fourth Olympics appearance. Deepika expressed regret over missed opportunities, attributing it to high expectations and the tense atmosphere of the Games.

On the same day, teenager Bhajan Kaur also faced elimination, losing to Indonesia's Diananda Choirunisa in a tightly contested pre-quarterfinal shoot-off. Coach Purnima Mahato highlighted the need for mental resilience and quick decision-making, emphasizing that archers must not hold their shots for too long to avoid unwanted thoughts compromising their performance.

(With inputs from agencies.)