Indian archers Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara have secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the recurve mixed team event at the Paris Olympics, showcasing a dominant performance against Indonesia's Diananda Choirunisa and Arif Pangestu.
The Indian duo triumphed 5-1 in the Round of 16, held at the historic Les Invalides.
In a compelling display of skill and precision, Ankita and Dhiraj clinched the first set 37-36 and edged out the third set 38-37. The second set saw a nail-biting tie at 38-38.
Their relentless accuracy, particularly notable with five 10s in the pre-quarterfinal, has set the stage for their upcoming clash against either Spain or the People's Republic of China.
The Paris Olympics have been a roller-coaster for Indian archery, with moments of both triumph and disappointment.
Earlier in the men's individual 1/16 event, Dhiraj faced a heartbreaking exit after a thrilling match against Canada's Eric Peters.
The encounter was a spectacle, with both archers delivering a series of 10s that kept spectators on edge.
Dhiraj began strong, taking the lead with a perfect 10, but Peters matched his accuracy, leveling the score.
The third set saw Dhiraj striking two 10s to Peters' three 9s, putting him ahead.
However, the fourth set ended in a draw as both archers hit perfect 10s.
The decisive moment came in the final shot. Despite Dhiraj's consistent performance, a nine on his last shot allowed Peters to push the game into a shoot-off.
In a dramatic finish, both archers scored 10, but Peters' arrow landed closer to the center, securing his advance and ending Dhiraj's singles campaign.
Ankita and Dhiraj now focus on their quarterfinal match, aiming to continue their promising run in the mixed team event.
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