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The history-making Indian blended group of Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara got here agonisingly near ending India’s 36-year watch for an Olympic medal in archery however fell quick to complete fourth on the Video games in Paris on Friday. The group had already created historical past by coming into the semifinals of the Summer time Video games for the primary time. However the duo misplaced 37-38 35-37 38-34 35-37 to the American mix of world no.1 Casey Kaufhold and three-time Olympic-medallist Brady Ellison to hitch the fourth-finishers’ membership on the Olympics. It was nonetheless the very best ever efficiency by an Indian group within the quadrennial showpiece.
Ankita felt the stress probably the most as she fired two 7s and will handle solely a few 10s in the middle of the 4 units.
Trailing 0-4, the Indians did nicely to make a comeback as Ankita struck an excellent 10.
All 4 Indian arrows have been within the yellow zone whereas Casey regarded a bit nervous firing a 7 together with her first arrow earlier than a 9 and 10. However the Indians did sufficient to take the third set.
Whereas the 22-year-old Dhiraj was extra constant taking pictures as many as 4 10s, Ankita, who was distinctive towards the Koreans within the semifinals, produced a under par efficiency, together with a few 8s, which finally price India the competition.
Earlier within the semifinal, Dhiraj and Ankita had gone down 2-6 (misplaced 38-36 35-38 37-38 38-39) to defending champions South Korea.
They did nicely to take a set off the mighty Koreans.
It was a poor begin by Lim Sihyeon, who slipped to the 8-point crimson ring and Kim Woo-jin additionally missed a ten, as India responded strongly with two 10s by Dhiraj whereas Ankita remained per two 9s to take the opening set benefit towards the world no.1 mixture.
However the Koreans made a robust comeback with Kim drilling in two 10s to start out the second set as Ankita dropped two factors to start with. The Koreans took the second set with a three-point margin and drew stage.
The Koreans continued in the identical vein within the subsequent two units.
Regardless of the medal eluding them, the Indians got here up with one in every of their most memorable performances to enter the semifinals, the nation’s first-ever on the Summer time Video games after they defeated Spain 5-3 (38-37 38-38 36-37 37-36) within the quarterfinals.
Ankita and younger Dhiraj took the primary set 38-37 to take a 2-0 lead with the duo firing two 10s and two 9s.
The combating Spanish group of Elia Canales and Pablo Acha Gonzalez matched India within the second set by tying the scores at 38-all to share the factors.
India’s benefit was neutralised within the third set following a under par 36.
Nevertheless, within the fourth and final set, Ankita and Dhiraj held their nerves to win the thrilling contest 37-36 to notch two full factors and safe a semifinal spot, their finest ever displaying within the quadrennial showpiece.
Of their opening around the Indians had trounced Indonesia 5-1 (37-36 38-38 38-37).
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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