The 2024 Paris Olympics witnessed Indian archers giving their best, but despite strong performances leading up to the event, they ultimately fell short of securing any medals. The campaign, marked by close calls and heart-breaking defeats, left Indian fans wondering where it all went wrong.
Dhiraj Bommadevara’s heart-breaking exit
The highlight for India in archery was Dhiraj Bommadevara’s impressive run in his debut Olympic campaign. Finishing fourth in the qualification round, Bommadevara emerged as India’s most consistent archer.
However, his journey ended in disappointment during a shoot-off against Canada’s Eric Peters, where Bommadevara’s arrow was 24 millimetres farther from the centre, resulting in his elimination in individual men’s round. This was a bitter end for the young archer, who had shown so much promise at Paris Olympics 2024.
Team efforts fall short for Indian Archery
The Indian men’s team, despite a strong showing in the qualification round, exited the competition in the quarter-finals after a defeat to Turkey. Bommadevara, paired with Ankita Bhakat, also represented India in the mixed team event. They fought valiantly against the dominant South Korean team, but eventually lost, leading to a bronze medal match against the USA.
Unfortunately, India fell short again, marking the first time the country reached the semi-finals in Olympic archery but leaving empty-handed.
Deepika Kumari’s return
Veteran archer Deepika Kumari made a remarkable comeback to the national team after a break due to pregnancy. With the support of her husband, Atanu Das, Kumari trained at the Kim Hyung Tak Archery School in South Korea, under the guidance of the world-renowned coach. Her efforts paid off as she secured her spot in the team for Paris.
However, Deepika Kumari’s fourth Olympic appearance did not yield the desired results, as she struggled to find her rhythm in the knockout stages.
Coaching changes and Impact
The Archery Association of India had high hopes for Paris 2024, having hired Baek Woong Ki, the coach who led South Korea to gold at the 2012 London Olympics. However, in a surprising turn of events, Baek was not included in the Indian contingent’s official list for the Games.
Instead, Purnima Mahato and Sonam Tshering Bhutia took over the coaching duties. This unexpected change raised questions about the team’s preparation and the impact of not having the head coach present during the competition.
Pre-Paris 2024 success & Olympic disappointment
Leading up to the Olympics, Indian archers had shown great potential, with several medals at the World Cup stages in 2023 and 2024. The men’s team even secured a historic gold medal at the World Cup Stage 1 earlier in the year, defeating South Korea.
However, the confidence and form displayed in those events did not translate into success at the Olympics. The pressure of the Games seemed to affect the Indian archers, who faltered at crucial moments.
Road ahead for Indian Archery
As the Paris 2024 Olympics come to a close, Indian archery finds itself at a crossroads. Despite the talent and potential, the team once again fell short of breaking India’s Olympic medal drought in the sport. Looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, there is a pressing need for introspection and a revamp of the current system. Ensuring that the head coach accompanies the team to the Games and addressing the psychological challenges of performing on the world’s biggest stage will be crucial for future success.
Indian archery has the talent and the potential, but to convert that into Olympic medals, a fresh approach and a stronger support system are necessary.
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