Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen powered into the women’s 50kg Olympics pre-quarterfinals with a tenacious victory over Germany’s Maxi Carina Kloetzer here on Sunday.

Trailing on three cards after the first round, the 28-year-old Indian prevailed by a 5-0 margin against the German in a rather messy round of 32 contest at the North Paris Arena here.

The unseeded Zareen did not have the best of starts as the German closed the ring on her with aggressive punches. But Zareen expertly forced her way back to the centre of the ring, connecting some lusty blows. Both boxers tried to work on each other’s bodies. The German, who was at a height disadvantage, used her jab to good effect, taking the first round via a 3-2 split verdict.

Zareen found her rhythm in the second round and connected some lethal hooks on Kloetzer. Kloetzer had a point deducted for not keeping her head up but Zareen immediately lost the point advantage as she was penalised for holding a few seconds later.

After the two energy-sapping rounds, Zareen continued to land accurate blows and won the round and the bout.

Zareen, who has been handed a tough draw, will take on top-seeded Asian Games and reigning flyweight world champion Wu Yu of China, who received a first-round bye, on Thursday. Speaking about her next opponent, Zareen said: “She is the top seed. It’s a big challenge, but everyone is a challenge for me. I can’t take it easy on anyone. I can just better my performance in each bout.”

Archers fumble

India’s most decorated archer Deepika Kumari proved to be the biggest letdown as the women’s team lost in straight sets to lowly the Netherlands in the quarter-finals
to end their Olympics campaign in disappointment here on Sunday.

On a day the youngest member of the team, Bhajan Kaur, the 18-year-old from Haryana, shot an exceptional 56 out of 60 points, the two seasoned campaigners, Deepika and Ankita Bhakat, proved to be the weak links as India lost 0-6 (51-52, 49-54, 48-53). Ankita even shot into the 4-point ring once.

Nagal exits

Sumit Nagal crashed out of the Olympics men’s singles tennis competition after a three-set loss to Corentin Moutet of France in a first-round match. The 26-year-old Indian lost 2-6, 6-2, 5-7.

Rower in quarters

India’s Balraj Panwar progressed to the quarter-finals of the men’s single sculls rowing competition after finishing second in Repechage 2. The first two finishers in each repechage qualify for the quarterfinals to be held on Tuesday.

Swimmers out

The Indian swimmers bowed out of the Games with Srihari Nataraj finishing overall 33rd in the men’s 100m backstroke heats, while Dhinidhi Desinghu was overall 23rd in the women’s 200m freestyle heats.