Rio : Archers Manoj Kumar raise expectations after Jitu Rai’s heartbreaking exit
RIO: On the fifth day of Rio Olympics, Indian archers and pugilist brought some happiness to the camp on a rather disappointing day. In Archery, India’s Bombayla Devi and Deepika Kumari both have advanced to the pre quarterfinals or the Round of 16 in Women’s Singles re-curve event.
Backed by solid back to back performances, Bombayla Devi first in round of 64 defeated Austrian Laurence Baldauff 6-2. To make her place in the last 16, Bombayla then defeated Chinese Taipei’s Shih-Chia Lin 6-2 to continue her impressive run. Archer, Deepika Kumari then showed her resilience to surge ahead. In her round of 64 she defeated Kristine Esebua of Georgia 6-4.
Later, Deepika beat Italy’s Guendalina Sartori 6-2 to enter the round of 16. After a bad start in the team event, India has done well in the individual segment, as yesterday Atanu Das made it to the pre quarters of men’s singles.
After a strong start in boxing, Indian pugilist Manoj Kumar continued the wining wagon of the contingent. In 64 kg weight category, Manoj beat Evaldas Petrauskas of Lithuania in round of 32 bout. He won the match on point with judges handing him 2 out 3 rounds and gave the opponent 1 round. Earlier, Vikas Krishan won his first bout in the 75 kg weight class. Shiva Thapa in 56 kg is another Indian who will feature this week.
In other events of day five, the mixed doubles schedule of tennis have a strong Indian team playing in their first round. India’s Sania Mirza along with Rohan Bopanna will be taking on Australian team of John Peers and Samantha Stosur later tonight. The rain has postponed the match for now. Earlier, Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna had exited from the doubles event.
Heart breaking news came from the Hockey field as Indian women’s team was mauled by Australia. Indian eves in their third encounter against 3 time Olympic Champion Australia, went down with a score line of 1-6. After India had lost to Great Britain nil-3 and drawn 2-2 with Japan, last evening’s big loss highlighted the flaw of India having defensive gaps.
Shooters continued to disappoint, as Jitu Rai and Prakash Nanjappa failed to cross the qualification round in 50m pistol event. All eyes were on Jitu, the reigning Commonwealth and Asian Games Champion, but he finished on lowly 12th position, and his compatriot Nanjappa finishing 25th.
On his Olympic debut, Indian Judoka Avtar Singh failed to make a mark. In the first round of 90 kg weight class, South Asian Games Champion Avtar Singh lost to Popole Misenga, an athlete competing under Refugee Olympic Flag, 1-2.
In weightlifting India’s Sathish Kumar Sivalingam has been knocked out of the Men’s 77kg category. Sathish did not start off well but did bounce back. However, after early jitters he finished fourth and failed to advance in medal round.
