Archery: Deepika in action today; Day 2 Review

Deepika Kumari : Lone Indian Hope

India’s last standing hope in the much hyped Archery events, is World No.1, Deepika Kumari. Seeded 8th after the ranking rounds in which Deepika made a fabulous comeback in the second half of the 72 arrow shoot out now faces upfront, British Amy Oliver, who was a silver medalist at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in the team event. The match up will begin at 3 pm IST.

If Deepika manages to win her first game she might face stiff opposition from the Chinese Y Fang in the pre-quarters.

All of Deepika’s compatriots lost in the very first rounds and failed to make an Olympic QF entry. Here’s a look at our Archers performance on Day 2 of the Individual Event.

Jayatna Talukdar lost to American Jacob Wukie in Round of 32

Jayanta : 22 26 28J Wukie : 27 30 29

Straight sets win by American Jacob Wukie over India’s Jayanta Talukdar meant another bad day for India at Lord’s. Erratic shooting in the 1st Set by Jayanta meant he was behind by 2 points. Started with a 8 and the American replied with a 10. Talukdar reacted pretty well with a 9 but Jacob Wukie scored consecutive 10s to score 30 to lead by 4 points to zero. Third Set and Jayanta Talukdar scored his first 10 upfront but Wukie scored a 4th successive 10 to keep up. Talukdar score 28 but Wukie bettered it with 29.

Chekrovolu Swuro lost to American Nichols Jennifer in the Round of 32.

N Jennifer : 24 27 25 26 28 C Swuro : 27 25 25 29 25

Chekrovolu Swuro became India’s second causality of the day in Individual Archery. Swuro was very very close to an upset, but momentary nervousness cost her the game. Her opponent was 15th ranked Nichols Jennifer, who had already won a silver for Team USA couple of days ago. The Indian started Set 1 with a series of nine but Jennifer came back in Set 2 to come equal on points at 2-2. 3rd Set and Swuro tied after a technical review which converted her 8 to a 9. Crucial Set 4 and Swuro looked to be in great form with a score of 10-9 and 10 to take the lead by 5 points to 3 into the last end. After two arrows Swuro was leading by 18-19 as Jennifer shot 10 in the last and Chekrovolu had to get that 9 pointer to equal up and progress in the competition. The Indian trembled and scored only a six pointer to take the match into a shoot-off. In the tie-breaker it was always a lottery and Jennifer shot a 9 while Swuro matched her with a 9 but was a bit far off from the center than Nichols Jennifer. That was curtains for the Indian and followed Bombayla Devi out from the competition.

Rahul Banerjee won against Mongolian Gantugs but then lost to the Polish Dobrowolski

Gantugs Janstan : 27 24 25Rahul Banerjee : 29 25 30

Rahul Banerjee was in no mood to let this one off against 19th ranked Mongolian Gantugs Jansten as the Indian won by an authorizing score of 6-0 points. Having started with two consecutive 10s , Banerjee went on to register six 10s to overcome his higher ranked opponent. Only in Set 2 did Rahul go wayward with a 6 pointer but Gantugs had managed only 24. Se 3 and Rahul Banerjee scored three tens to deny Janstan of any comeback opportunity.

Rahul Banerjee : 28 25 29 26 25Rafal Dobrowolski : 28 27 26 29 26

Rahul once again began strongly in this tie but the Polish No.1 was equal in all aspects. In a topsy-turvy turn of events Rafal was leading Rahul Banerjee with a 5-3 scoreline going into the final set. The Indian shot a 9 and Rafal came with only a 7 raising hopes of a comeback. But it wasn’t to be as Banerjee shot consecutive 8s and failed to seize the advantage while Rafal Dobrowolski shot a 9 and a perfect 10 to march into the quarterfinals.

Tarundeep Rai came back strongly against Juan Carlos Stevens but eventually lost to Korean Kim.

Taundeep Rai : 27 27 27 28 27Juan C Stevens : 28 27 28 27 26

A consistent Tarundeep Rai came back from being behind by 1-5 at one stage to register a famous victory over Cuba’s Juan Carlon Stevens. The Indian No.1 looked calm and composed as he hit the bulls eye at crucial junctures in Set 4 and Set 5. The momentum was with Tarundeep and he won in the shoot off against Juan Carlos by a point to set up a tie with Koreas Kim.

Taundeep Rai : 26 28 28 26Kim Bubmin : 27 30 25 28

Another consistent show by Tarun had Kim Bubmin in a bit of trouble at the end of Set 3. With consecutive 9s and intermittent 10s shot by the Indian the Korean had to be perfect but was erratic at times. All important 4th Set and Tarundeep fell to the pressure that was around and shot consecutive 8s for the very first time. Pressure time and Koreans usually deliver with their vast experience in such conditions. And so did Kim with consecutive 10s and progressed to the last 8.