"Ankita's performance cost Dhiraj" - Fans slam Ankita Bhakat after a disappointing performance that cost India a bronze medal in mixed archery
The Indian mixed archery team of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat lost to the USA 6-2 in the bronze-medal game at the Paris Olympics on Friday (August 2). With this defeat, the mixed archery team missed the chance of winning India’s first Olympic medal in archery.
After the heartbreaking defeat, fans took to social media to express their frustration and anger on archer Ankita Bhakat, who turned in a sub-par performance in the crucial game. One fan suggested that Ankita’s performance denied Dhiraj Bommadevara a chance to win an Olympic bronze medal, writing:
“You can't win if [you] open 2 sets with 7 and shoot 2 eights in deciding one. Ankita's performance cost dhiraj #Bronze.”
More fans criticized the supposed mental fragility of Ankita Bhakat, with one writing:
“And it was Ankita who fell apart in the bronze medal match. Best finish for India in #Archery but in the end it’s a mental game which we as a sporting nation fail at across sports. Get 5 #PaddyUpton s into the mix and see what we achieve.”
“Soo sad to see #AnkitaBhakat to surrender this way in an #OlympicGamesParis2024 bronze medal match. The nation atleast deserved some fight from you,” one fan wrote.
One fan suggested a complete overhaul of the Indian archery team, writing:
“Feel for Dheeraj...you played superb but ankita played very poor , How can she hit 7,7,8 ... It was golden chance… INDIA NEED TO Refresh this Whole Archery set up… Players, Coach etc.”
“I can't even with Indian archery bro. Sad for Dhiraj. He was shooting kingpins since his individual event,” another fan posted. “Everyone else like please go build more mental fortitude first 🥲 Do cemetery walks in the night like the Koreans.”
“Ankita Bhakat completely failed to keep her composure in the last set.... It was only Dhiraj who carried the team single handedly... Good run comes to an end. Now we can hope Deepika and Bhajan to do their bit.. USA wins by 6-2,” another fan wrote.
Ankita Bhakat disappoints as India lose to USA in mixed archery bronze-medal game
After a 6-2 defeat against the World No. 1 South Korea, India had a brilliant chance to secure a podium finish by beating the USA team. Despite the scoreline reading 6-2 against the mighty Korean team, the Indian mixed archery team gave a tough fight and would have fancied their chances against their American opponents.
India started the match terribly, losing the first set 38-37, with Ankita Bhakat opening the game with a 7*. Despite two 10* from Dhiraj Bommadevara, India started the game on the back foot, trailing the game 0-2. The second set compounded India’s misery, with Ankita opening with another 7*. India lost the second set 35-37 to go 4-0 down in the match.
However, Dhiraj and Ankita shot one 9* and one 10* respectively, to win the third set 38-34, sparking hopes for a comeback. However, in the must-win fourth set, Ankita shot two 8*, and India lost the set and game 35-37.