The Indian women’s archery team faced a dramatic exit from the Paris 2024 Olympics after a decisive 6-0 loss to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. The match, held at Les Invalides on Sunday, showcased the Dutch team’s superior performance and left the Indian archers to regroup and refocus for upcoming events.

Indian Archers Struggle Against Strong Dutch Opposition

The Indian squad, consisting of Ankita Bhakat, Bhajan Kaur, and Deepika Kumari, entered the quarter-finals with high hopes. Bhajan Kaur emerged as the standout performer for India, scoring three 10s, two 9s, and an 8 throughout the match. Despite her consistent shooting, the team struggled to cope with the strong winds and ultimately could not overcome the Dutch archers.

In the opening set, Kaur’s initial 10 was promising. However, the team’s performance faltered as both Deepika Kumari and Ankita Bhakat shot a 7, resulting in the Dutch team, seeded 12th, clinching the first set 52-51 and taking an early lead.

Dutch Team Dominates with Precision

The second set saw a brief advantage for India as Bhakat and Kaur hit 10s, giving India a narrow lead. However, inconsistent shots from Kumari and Bhakat, including two 6s, allowed the Dutch team to surpass India with a score of 54-49, taking a commanding 4-0 lead.

In the third set, India’s performance deteriorated further. Ankita Bhakat’s opening shot of 4 put India on the back foot, while the Dutch team, comprising Quinty Roeffen, Gaby Schloesser, and Laura van der Winkel, began with two 10s. The Netherlands continued their dominance, sealing the match with a 53-48 score in the final set.

Indian Men’s Archery Team and Individual Events

The focus now shifts to the Indian men’s archery team, consisting of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav, who will compete in their quarter-finals match on Monday. All six Indian archers will also participate in the individual rounds starting Tuesday, with Bhakat and Bommadevara set to feature in the mixed team event on Friday.

  Ankita Bhakat, Bhajan Kaur, Deepika Kumari, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Indian Women’s Archery Team, Netherlands Archery Team, Paris 2024 Olympics, Pravin Jadhav, Tarundeep Rai