Tokyo: The Indian archery mixed team duo of Deepika Kumari and Pravin Jadav lost to DPR Korea 2-6 in the quarterfinals to see their Tokyo Olympics campaign come to an end on Saturday.
The Indians had the worst possible start losing the 32-35 in the first set. Jadav shit two perfect 10s in the second set but couldn’t save the Indians from losing again in the second set 37-38.
With two wins needed in the final two sets to force the tie into a tie-breaker, India reduced the deficit winning the third 37-35. However, Jadav faltered when it mattered scoring a six in the final set to lose away the game there.
Although the last three shots were 9 each, it wasn’t enough for the Koreans to sail through. The Koreans will face Mexico in the semifinals later in the day. Earlier, the Indian duo has defeated Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chia-En and Tang Chih-Chun 5-3 in the pre-quarterfinals.
Trailing 1-3 initially after the first two sets — loss in the first round and tie in second – the Indians made a stunning comeback to win a flawless third set to advance the match to the fourth and final set. Hitting a 9 and 8 in the first two shots in the final set, the Indian pair needed 19 points from the final two shots to win the tie. Both Jadhav and Deepika scored 10s to give India the victory.
Deepika was supposed to compete with her husband Atanu Das but Jadhav won the right to compete with her because he was seeded first in the men’s individual archery ranking round. Das had dropped to 35th place, three points behind Jadhav.
Deepika opposed the decision, but the team management chose Jadhav based on his current form. “It (the decision) mattered, as I really wanted to play with him (Atanu), but it did not happen. Anyway, I’ve to continue performing irrespective of the situation,” she said.
“I am a little sad that he is not with me in the mixed team. But we have to shoot, you have to win, so just go ahead,” Deepika added when asked about her husband Atanu.
