Paris, July 31 (UNI) In a heart-stopping showdown at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian archer Deepika Kumari, a former world number one and proud mother, delivered a masterclass in precision and nerve, advancing to the pre-quarterfinals in women’s individual archery on Wednesday.
Deepika, a seasoned Olympian with four appearances under her belt, took on Dutch archer Quinty Roeffen in a tense round of 32 match. The battle was intense right from the start. Deepika struck first, taking the opening set, but Roeffen retaliated, leveling the scores. The tension was palpable, but Deepika’s steely resolve and sharp focus carried her through the next two sets, clinching a thrilling 6-2 victory.
This win was more than just a step forward; it was sweet revenge, coming on the heels of India’s earlier defeat to the Netherlands in the women’s team event. Deepika’s poise under pressure and flawless execution left no room for doubt about her elite status.
Earlier in the day, the stakes were just as high in her match against Estonia’s Reena Parnat in the round of 64. The competition was fierce, with both archers deadlocked after five sets. The arena held its breath as the match headed to a nerve-wracking shoot-off. In that critical moment, Deepika’s arrow struck a nine, outdoing Parnat’s eight and securing a nail-biting 6-5 victory.
Now, all eyes are on the upcoming pre-quarterfinals, where Deepika will face German archer Michelle Kroppen, a team event bronze medallist from Tokyo 2020. The high-stakes clash is set for August 3 at 1:52 PM IST. India’s Bhajan Kaur will also be in action, taking on Indonesia’s Diananda Choirunisa in the round of 16 at 2:05 PM IST.
As the excitement builds, Indian archery fans are on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this thrilling saga. It’s a big weekend for Team India as they aim for glory on the grandest stage.
