Rakesh Kumar's Heartbreaking Paralympics Journey

Rakesh Kumar, the world number one archer, faced a tough defeat at the Paralympics, losing his bronze medal play-off by one point to China's He Zihao. Despite a strong lead and a resilient performance, the wheelchair-bound athlete narrowly missed out on a medal, illustrating the intense nature of the competition.

World number one Rakesh Kumar's compelling run at the Paralympics concluded without a medal, as he was edged out by China's He Zihao in the men's compound open archery bronze play-off by a single point. Despite a slender lead and consistent shots, Rakesh, aged 39 and wheelchair-bound since 2009, couldn't maintain his advantage in the final crucial moments.

Rakesh's journey was marked by highs and an intense competition. In the semifinal, he was defeated by nemesis Ai Xinliang of China, who triumphed by two points, continuing his winning streak against the Indian archery star. Earlier, Rakesh showcased remarkable tenacity by besting world number two Ken Swagumilang of Indonesia and Canada's Kyle Tremblay in thrilling shoot-offs.

However, the story took an inspiring turn as Rakesh faced his challenges with courage, overcoming his spinal cord injury and depression to emerge as a top archer. Under the guidance of coach Kuldeep Vedwan, his perseverance led him to victories at the Asian and World Para Championships, highlighting his indomitable spirit and precision under pressure.

(With inputs from agencies.)