Paris Olympics 2024: Deepika Kumari faces backlash and trolls after Indian women's archery team crashes out in quarters

After making it to the Top 4 in the qualifying round, there were high hopes for the Indian women's archery team as they faced the Netherlands in the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympic Games 2024. However, India's most decorated archer, Deepika Kumari, failed to live up to expectations alongside Bhajan Kaur and Ankita Bhakat as they could not deliver the desired results.

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In fact, only the 18-year-old Bhajan Kaur from Haryana managed to score 56 out of 60 points, while Deepika and Ankita struggled. India lost the match 0-6 (51-52, 49-54, 48-53), and being the senior member, Deepika faced immense backlash and trolling from fans on X (formerly known as Twitter). Many in fact want her to leave the sport and are even questioning how she keeps getting the chance to represent India at the Olympics for so many years and not getting a medal.

Four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari finished with a mere 48 out of 60, and Ankita Bhakat scored even less with 46 points, including a pitiful 4 on one shot. On her last arrow, Deepika managed to score a 10-point shot, but it was too late to change the outcome.

Bhajan Kaur, on the other hand, showed off her excellent form by missing just four points. The Indian team's quarterfinal loss in the Olympics was just another setback.

Taking advantage of the Indians' inconsistent play was the Dutch team's Quinty Roeffen, Laura van der Winkel, and Gaby Schloesser who put on a consistent show throughout the game.

The focus will next shift to the Indian men's archery squad, which will begin competition on Monday in the quarter-final round. They occupied the 3rd place in the qualifying round and will be awaiting their opponent on July 29.

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