India’s archery journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics concluded with Deepika Kumari’s exit in the quarter-finals of the women’s individual event on Sunday.
Competing at the Esplanade des Invalides, the four-time Olympian faced Nam Suhyeon of the Republic of Korea, ultimately falling 6-4 in a hard-fought match. Nam Suhyeon, who was a member of the gold-medal-winning women’s team at these Olympics, proved to be a formidable opponent.
Deepika Kumari began the contest on a strong note, capitalizing on her opponent’s two eights to clinch the first set 28-26.
However, an errant six from Deepika in the second set allowed Nam to even the score. Demonstrating her skill, Deepika scored two 10s and a nine in the third set to regain a 4-2 lead.
Yet, a seven in the fourth set, amidst two 10s, negated her efforts, allowing Nam Suhyeon to level the match at 4-4.
In the decisive final set, Deepika managed three nines, but the 19-year-old Korean’s two 10s secured her victory and a spot in the semi-finals.
Deepika Kumari reached the quarter-finals by overcoming two-time Olympic medallist Michelle Kroppen of Germany. Kroppen, who had earned a mixed team silver medal at Paris 2024, started their round of 16 match with a six, which Deepika leveraged to take the first set 27-24.
The second set ended in a 27-27 tie, and Deepika dominated the third set to lead 5-1. Kroppen fought back with two 10s in the fourth set, reducing the deficit to 5-3, but Deepika’s final set 10 secured a 27-all tie, resulting in a 6-4 win for the Indian archer.
Earlier in the competition, Deepika launched her individual campaign with a narrow 6-5 victory over Estonia’s Parnat Reena in the round of 64, followed by a 6-2 win against Roeffen Quinty of the Netherlands in the round of 32. Meanwhile, India’s Bhajan Kaur’s journey ended in the round of 16.