Paris Olympics 2024 Archery: Bhajan Kaur's campaign ends in a heartbreaking defeat in the shoot-off in the Round of 16

In a gripping Round of 16 match at the Paris 2024 Olympics, 18-year-old Indian archer Bhajan Kaur faced off against Indonesia's Diananda Choirunisa. Kaur's valiant effort ended in heartbreak as she narrowly lost in a shoot-off after an incredible comeback to level the match at 5-5.

The contest began with Choirunisa starting off strong, hitting a perfect 10 in her first arrow. Kaur managed an 8 in response. The Indonesian followed up with a 9, while Kaur found the center with a 10. However, another perfect 10 from Choirunisa virtually sealed the first set for her, and Kaur’s 10 made little difference.

The second set saw Kaur starting with an 8 and Choirunisa responding with a 9. Kaur then hit a 9 and a 10, bringing her total to 27. A 9 and 7 from the Indonesian gave Kaur the set 27-25, leveling the match.

In the third set, Choirunisa delivered scores of 9, 10, and 9. Kaur’s two 9s and an 8 totaled 26, conceding the set to her opponent. The fourth set saw both archers in top form, with Kaur shooting two 9s and a perfect 10. Choirunisa matched her arrow for arrow, resulting in shared points, and this took things to the fifth set.

In the final set, Kaur scored 9, 8, and 10. Choirunisa matched her with a 9 and 8 but faltered with a 9 on her last arrow, giving Kaur the set and taking the match to a shoot-off.

In the tense shoot-off, Choirunisa hit a 9. Kaur, under immense pressure, managed an 8, narrowly missing out on a place in the quarterfinals.

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Deepika Kumari through to the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics 2024

India’s former World No. 1 archer Deepika Kumari got the better of Germany’s Michelle Kroppen in her pre-quarterfinal encounter. Kumari led right from the beginning to win the match with a hard-fought 6-4 victory and book her place in the last eight. She will now take on South Korea’s Suhyeon Nam on August 3, 5:09 pm IST.

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