After disappointments in the team events, the Indian archers had a mixed day in the individual competition in Paris on Tuesday.
In the women’s individual contest, Bhajan Kaur advanced to the Round of 16 with two victories, but it was all over for compatriot Ankita Bhakat.
Bhajan first defeated Indonesia’s Syifa Nurafifah Kamal 7-3 in the Round of 64. It was a slow start from Bhajan as the Indonesian archer took a 3-1 lead after two sets. The first set was tied.
But 18-year-old Bhajan was sharper as the competition progressed. Seeded 22nd, Bhajan bounced back to win three sets on the trot.
Ankita, however, couldn’t bring out her best in her opening contest. The 26-year-old archer from Calcutta lost 6-4 to the 54th-ranked Wioleta Myszor of Poland.
It was Bhajan versus Myszor in the Round of 32. But the Indian was in her zone and was shooting much better. She blew away the Polish challenge 6-0 to seal her place in the Round of 16.
In the men’s competition, it was heartbreak for Dhiraj Bommadevara. He advanced to the Round of 32 after beating Adam Li of Czech Republic 7-1 but lost in a shoot-off in the next round, against World Championship silver medallist Eric Peters.
Deepika Kumari, the senior-most member among the women, will compete in the Round of 64 on Wednesday, against Estonia’s Reena Parnat. The senior-most among the men, Tarundeep Rai, will face Tom Hall of Great Britain.