Paris: The Indiаn wоmen’s reсurve teаm fаiled tо quаlify fоr the Tоkyо Оlymрiсs аfter а subdued lоss tо lоwer-rаnked Соlоmbiа in the round of 16 at the Archery World Cup Stage III in Paris оn Sundаy. This was the final qualifier before the Tokyo Olympics.
Touted as one of the favourites, the Indian trio of Deepika Kumari, Komalika Bari and Ankita Bhakat finished second in the qualification round with a total of 1992 points behind Mexico (1993). The Indian team needed to finish among the top three in the field of 28 to qualify for the Tokyo event.
In the pre-quarterfinals, the world No.3 Indian side put on a miserable show failing to win a single set. The Colombian trio of Ana Maria Rendon, Valentia Acosta Giraldo and Maira Sepulveda shot consistently and started off with two perfect 10s, including one arrow closest to the centre to take the first set 55-54.
Under pressure, the Indian women’s team shot a shocking 49 that included a poor 5 to lose the second set by two points. The setback proved too costly for the Indian team as the world No.15 Colombians were on top from thereon as they clinched the game in style in the third set with another two perfect 10s, including one centre.
India had already secured the men’s teаm (Atanu Das, Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav) quоtа fоr the Tokyo Оlymрiсs at the Wоrld Сhаmрiоnshiрs in Den Bоsсh, the Netherlаnds, in 2019. They will also compete at the individual events at the Tokyo Olympics.
Meanwhile, Deepika Kumari will be the lone Indian female archer at the Tokyo Olympics after she earned her quota with a gold medal finish at the Asian Continental Qualification Tournament in Bangkok in 2019.
