Olympics 2024 Archery: Indian Fans Frustrated by Ankita Bhakat's Performance in Mixed Team Bronze Medal Match

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Indian fans were left heartbroken as the archery mixed team of Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara fell short in the bronze medal match against the USA at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Friday (August 2).

The duo's defeat saw them finish in fourth place, narrowly missing out on a podium finish. Ankita's performance drew particular attention, especially her two critical seven-point arrows in the first and second sets, which allowed the USA to gain an early lead.

Fans expressed their disappointment on social media, pointing out the missed opportunities that could have turned the tide in India's favor. Here is a look at some of the memes and reactions:

"Ankita Bhakat just show her true color in final. Sorry dheera," wote one user on X, who also said the archer should join a different profession.

Another fan hoped an in-form Bhajan Kaur would have been a better partner for the mixed team event, while another user on X posted a meme with the picture of Memeber of Parliament and former bollywood star to compare the two archer's performance.

"Another below average performance from ankita bhakat. They can give multiple excuses but in todays match, the only reason we loose our silver and bronze is Ankita. I wish bhajan kaur was part of today's match," a fan posted on X.

The Indian archers faced stiff competition from the experienced American duo. Brady Ellison, a seasoned Olympian, and Casey Kaufhold, who made history as the first American woman to stand on the archery podium, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure throughout the match.

The match began with high hopes, but India conceded the first set 37-38. Ankita's sub-par seven-point arrow set the tone for a challenging match.

Despite Dhiraj's consistent performance, the USA, led by Casey Kaufhold and Brady Ellison, capitalized on every opportunity. Brady's two 10-point arrows in the second set helped the USA secure a 37-35 win, pushing their lead to 4-0.

India made a valiant comeback in the third set, winning 38-34. Ankita and Dhiraj displayed remarkable precision, with both archers hitting 10s and 9s. This brief resurgence gave the Indian contingent a glimmer of hope, narrowing the gap to 2-4.

However, the final set proved to be a decisive blow. Ankita started with an eight-point arrow, followed by Dhiraj's nine. Despite their efforts, Casey and Brady's consistent scoring meant India had to cover a two-point deficit with their last two shots. Unfortunately, their combined score of 18 wasn't enough, as the USA sealed the set 37-35, clinching the bronze medal.