"Deepika Kumari is probably the most overhyped athlete of India" - Fans react to India's whitewash in women's archery quarter-finals at Paris Olympics
India failed to advance to the semi-finals of the women's team archery event at the Paris Olympics 2024. Team India, which comprised former World No. 1 Deepika Kumari, Bhajan Kaur and Ankita Bhakat, were completely whitewashed by Netherlands in the quarter-finals today (July 28).
Netherlands, who were represented by Quinty Roeffen, Gaby Schloesser and Laura van der Winkel, won the match 6-0. India's overall team performance was below par throughout as a few 7s, 6s and 4s from Ankita Bhakat and Deepika Kumar brought India very less points. Bhajan Kaur, on the other hand, seemed impressive as she tried her very best in every shot.
Fans on social media were quick to express their frustration. A fan account was too critical of Kumari, whose performance at the grand stage was not up to the mark.
"Usual tourist Deepika Kumari and her team put up a pathetic show. As always they can yet again do some sight seeing at our expense and return home empty handed. Shame!" he wrote.
One fan even demanded a replacement for the former World No. 1 Kumari. He wrote:
"No no no Deepika kumari 🥹🥹 You are an experienced player attending Olympic 3 times but you choked in each time , high time for indian archery 🏹 team to think alternative 🥹 Disappointed Indian team lost 6-0"
One user even labeled Team India's performance as "gutter":
"First Gutter performance of this Olympics by our athletes And none other than Deepika Kumari is included in it 4 Olympics and still only 1st or 2nd match exit Total Gutter performance."
One fan account wrote on X:
"Deepika Kumari is probably the most overhyped athlete of India."
Another user posted:
"Deepika Kumari genuinely feels like politician quota. They had korean excuse for past several olympics, what's the excuse now."
Another user said:
"Deepika Kumari should not see any Olympics ever again. Govt spent so much money on her still she could not hit a 10...... pathetic."
One fan posted:
"Deepika Kumari used to keep muttering something from behind and disturbing when Ankita and her other team mate were shooting arrows."
Another fan wrote:
"Seems like Wind is only troubling Indian Archers. While the Dutch shooting 10s 9s consistently. Meanwhile Ankita and Deepika doing as worst as they can by hitting 6s and 7s."
Manu Bhaker shines for India on Day 2 at Paris Olympics 2024
Manu Bhaker brought India their first medal of the ongoing Olympics campaign with her bronze in women's 10m air pistol. Shooter Arjun Babuta has qualified for the final of the 10m air rifle event but partaking in the same discipline, Sandeep Singh ended 12th to be eliminated from the show. Ramita Jindal has also qualified for the final of the women's 10m air rifle event while Elavenil Valarivan missed out.
Nikhat Zareen has made her way to the Round of 16 and table tennis stars Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula have won their matches too while Sharath Kamal bowed out. Swimmers Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu too have exited the Paris Olympics. Sumit Nagal is currently fighting against Corentin Moutet in tennis men's singles event (at the time of writing this article).