India fell agonisingly short of a historic archery medal after losing to the United States in the mixed team bronze medal play-off match at the Paris Olympics on Friday, August 2.
Dhiraj-Ankita lost to Ellison-Kaufhold
The mixed team of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat was defeated 2-6 by Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold of the United States at the Invalides. India lost 37-38, 35-37, 38-34, and 35-37.
India was pushed into the bronze medal playoff after losing to top-ranked South Korea in the semi-finals.
Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara squandered a wonderful opportunity to end India’s lengthy drought of Olympic medals in one of the Games’ traditional sports. Ankita Bhakat struggled under pressure in the major bronze medal play-offs, shooting two 7s.
Also read: Paris Olympics: India defeat Australia to end 52-year drought in Hockey
India has never gone past quarterfinals in the Olympics
India, who has never went past the quarterfinals in the Olympics, losing to archery powerhouse South Korea, were once again burdened with defeating the same opponents to win their first medal in the event.
After being seeded directly into the quarterfinals yesterday, the men’s and women’s archery teams needed two wins to earn their first Olympic medals since their debut in the 1988 Seoul Games.
Dhiraj-Ankita began with a resounding victory over Spain and went on to defeat Indonesia’s Diananda Choirunisa and Arif Pangestu by a score of 5-1 in the mixed team 1/8 elimination round to advance to the semifinals.
