Internet Desk: India’s Archery trio of Deepika Kumari, Laxmirani Majhi and Bombayla Devi lose 4-5 to Russia in women’s team quarters, crash out of Rio 2016 Olympics. The match was decided via a shoot-off were world champions Russia managed to score 25 as against to India’s 23.
Russia got off to a strong start to the contest as they set the tone with a superb 55 in the first set – which they sealed 55-48. India, however, fought back as they edged past the Russians 53-52 in the second set. The third was even better for the Indian unit as an error from Russia allowed them to pocket the third 53-50.
Earlier, they held their nerve to beat Colombia 5-3 in the pre-quarterfinals at the Rio Olympics. Indian team started off on a positive note, clinching the first set with a close 52-51 margin. Bombayla Devi gave India good start with a 10-pointer in the very first set.
Bombayla and Laxmirani shot identical nine-pointers at the start of the second set but Deepika shot a dismal seven to concede the advantage. Indian archers needed 26 points to win the second set and Bombayla scored a good nine-pointer to push her team ahead before Deepika made a mess of it with a seven point shot as India lost the second set 49-50.
In the third set, Bombayla shot 9, Laxmirani 7 while Deepika came up with a fine 10 pointer. Colombia led with two points after the first rotation of third set. Colombian archer shot a six-pointer in the third set while her teammates followed up with fine shots but finally Colombia tied India with a score of 52-52 after judges took a close look at the Colombian archer’s last shot, initially giving her nine points.
In the fourth and final set, Colombian archer succumbed under pressure as she came up with a bizarre three-point shot to hand India 52-44 victory and a place in the quarter-finals.