Archery's Incredible Olympic Scorecard: 4 Matches, 2 Wins, 1 Historic Playoff, 2 Heroes

Deep breaths. 20 seconds. Rest your heartbeat, bring it down as much as possible. Draw your bow. Let fly. Wait to see where the arrow hits.

This was the meticulous routine followed by India’s archery duo, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat, during their intense matches on Friday at the Paris Olympics 2024. Over the span of six hours, their improbable journey captured the hearts of thousands of new archery fans across the country. Their performance was nothing short of captivating and utterly unimaginable.

Unexpected Heroes: Bommadevara and Bhakat

Before Friday, it was hard to imagine that the nation would be glued to their screens watching an Olympic archery semifinal and an Olympic archery bronze medal match. Paris 2024 has brought such thrilling moments to us, thanks to the remarkable efforts of Bommadevara and Bhakat.

India has often shown promise in archery, performing well at numerous World Cups and even at the annual World Championships. However, at the highest level—the Olympics—India’s track record has been disappointing. This unfortunate reality resurfaces every Olympic cycle, leading to harsh criticism and conversations about the country’s archers.

In Paris, it initially seemed like history was repeating itself. The men’s and women’s teams were eliminated at the quarterfinal stage without much resistance, and none of the three men advanced to the pre-quarterfinals. The disappointment and criticism were palpable, with negative commentary flooding social media.

A New Dawn in Paris

On Friday, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Bommadevara and Bhakat, selected for their top finishes in the qualifiers, entered the grand Esplanade des Invalides archery range without the weight of heavy expectations. Their journey through the day unfolded like a gripping narrative, pulling viewers into their story as the evening progressed.

Early Victories and Rising Tensions

In the pre-quarters at 1:19 PM IST, the Indian duo dispatched Indonesia with a routine 5-1 victory. The drama heightened at 5:45 PM when they faced Spain. After winning the first set, tying the second, and losing the third, they were on the brink of elimination in the fourth. Bommadevara’s clutch performance, nailing a ten on the last shot, secured a narrow 37-36 win in the set and a 5-3 overall victory. Their reward for this display of nerves? A semifinal showdown at 7:01 PM with the legendary South Korean team.

Facing the Giants

In the semifinals, Bommadevara and Bhakat gave South Korea a genuine scare. Two nines from Bhakat and two 10s from the exceptional Bommadevara won them the first set 38-36. However, the second set began with an 8 from Bhakat, a small but crucial misstep. In Olympic archery, the margins are incredibly thin. Over the next six shots, South Korea’s Kim Woojin scored one nine and five 10s, demonstrating the precision required to compete at this level. Despite their valiant effort, India couldn’t overcome the consistency of the Koreans.

Heartbreak in the Bronze Medal Match

In the bronze medal playoff against the USA, India started slow. A 4-0 lead was reduced to 4-2 as Bhakat and Bommadevara scored a 10 and a 9 each, but the USA, led by former world no.1 and multiple Olympic medalist Brady Ellison, maintained their composure. Two eights from Bhakat in critical moments proved to be insurmountable setbacks, and India had to settle for a fourth-place finish. While heartbreaking, their journey to the brink of a medal in their Olympic debut is a significant achievement.

The Individual Triumphs of Bommadevara and Bhakat

Bhakat, a left-armer—a rarity in Indian archery—didn’t own a bow until 2018 due to the high cost of equipment. She finished 11th in the qualifiers in Paris, showcasing her remarkable rise in the sport. Bommadevara, who won a team silver at the 2023 Asian Games, faced ridicule when an arrow he shot missed the target entirely and got stuck in the frame. Overcoming such public embarrassment required immense mental strength, and his shooting in Paris was exemplary. He finished fourth in the individual qualifiers, only to be eliminated in a heartbreaking shootoff in the pre-quarterfinals by a mere 2.4cm.

A Legacy of Inspiration

While this marks the end of Bommadevara and Bhakat’s journey in Paris, their efforts have paved the way for fellow Indian archers. Veteran Deepika Kumari and debutant Bhajan Kaur will compete in the women’s round-of-16 on Saturday, inspired by the achievements of their compatriots. Bommadevara and Bhakat have demonstrated that Indian archers can compete at the highest level and fight for medals, even if they narrowly miss out.

A New Chapter for Indian Archery

Whatever the outcome, Indian archery will remember Paris 2024 for the resilience and determination of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat. They have shown future generations that they can aspire to more, that they can compete fiercely on the world stage. Their performance has instilled hope and pride, ensuring that Indian archery will continue to strive for excellence in future Olympic games.

As we look forward to the remaining competitions and the performances of Kumari and Kaur, Bommadevara and Bhakat’s story will remain a beacon of inspiration. Their journey reminds us of the spirit of the Olympics and the potential for greatness that lies within each athlete.

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