Veteran archer Deepika Kumari faced a heartbreaking defeat in the quarterfinals of the women's individual archery event at the Paris Olympics, succumbing to Korea's Suhyeon Nam with a 4-6 score.
Despite leading 4-2 after the first three sets, Deepika could not maintain her momentum and lost the final two sets on Saturday, bringing an end to India's archery campaign.
Deepika had earlier advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Germany's Michelle Kroppen 6-4. In a previous encounter at the Shanghai World Cup in April, Deepika had beaten the 19-year-old Nam in straight sets, securing a silver medal.
However, she could not replicate that performance in Paris.
The match was intensely competitive, with both archers tied at 4-4 after four sets. Nam's consistency paid off in the fifth set, allowing her to advance to the semifinals. Deepika's performance was marked by inconsistency, with scores of six and seven in the second and fourth sets proving detrimental.
In the first set, Deepika scored 28-26, earning two points. She then shot 10, 6, and 9 in the second set, which Nam won 28-25, leveling the score. Deepika regained the lead by winning the third set 29-28 with two 10s. However, she faltered in the fourth set, scoring 10, 7, and 10, losing 27-29.
The decisive fifth set saw Deepika scoring three 9s, while Nam shot 10, 9, and 10 to clinch the match. Deepika's defeat has drawn criticism for her performance in the team event, marking another Olympic disappointment for the seasoned archer.