look news india
Paris, August 2 (HS). Ankita Bhakat and Dheeraj Bommadevara lost 6-2 to Casey Kaufold and Brady Ellison of the USA in the bronze medal match in the archery recurve mixed team event on Friday.
Despite creating history by becoming the first pair to reach the semi-finals of the mixed archery event at the Olympics, Ankita and Dheeraj’s arrows missed the target at the crucial moment, ending their campaign at the Paris Olympics.
The Indian pair came close to the bronze medal but fell far behind. They did not have an ideal start as Ankita scored seven points in the opening shot. The American pair made use of the opportunity and won the first set by one point. The American archers took a 2-0 (38-37) lead in the bronze medal match
In the second set, Ankita once again scored seven points, but Dheeraj made amends by sending his arrow into the 10-point zone. The medal match opened after Casey scored eight points in the red zone. The Indian pair then scored nine points each. However, Brandi's ten points turned the second set in favour of the US (37-35).
In the must-win set, Ankita set the tone with a 10 and Dheeraj scored a 9. Brandi responded strongly with a 10 but Casey put the pressure on by sending her arrow into the red zone for a 7. India took advantage of the early advantage and reduced the lead to 2-4 (38-34).
In the fourth set, which decided India's fate, Ankita started with an eight and Dheeraj scored a nine. The US archers made the most of the opportunity and won the bronze medal with a 6-2 win.
Dheeraj and Ankita lost in the semifinals to South Korea's Kim Woojin and Lim Sihyeon before playing for India's fourth medal.