Indian Archers Eye Historic Olympic Medal

Indian archers aim to end a 36-year Olympic medal drought after a record-breaking ranking round. A full six-member contingent will compete in all five categories, hoping to overcome past quarterfinal exits. Key players include Deepika Kumari, Dhiraj Bommadevara, and Ankita Bhakat.

Indian archers, bolstered by their best-ever performance in ranking rounds, aim to break a 36-year medal drought in the Olympics. The women's finals start on Sunday, with high hopes pinned on their performance at the historic Les Invalides arena. Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat's achievements during qualifiers have set a positive tone.

This marks the first time in 12 years that India fields a full six-member contingent, vying for medals in mixed team, men's and women's team, and individual events. Seeded directly into the quarters, the teams require just two wins to secure a historic first Olympic medal since debuting in the 1988 Seoul Games.

Facing potential opponents such as France and South Korea, the Indian archers need to overcome significant challenges. Deepika Kumari, Dhiraj Bommadevara, and Ankita Bhakat are key figures who may steer the team towards success. The men's and women's team events will be closely watched as they aim to surpass previous quarterfinal hurdles.

(With inputs from agencies.)