Tokyo Olympics: Deepika Kumari Shines For India In pre-quarterfinals of Archery

Well-known Indian archeress Deepika Kumari thrashed Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez of USA 6-4 and booked a place in the pre-quarterfinals of women’s individual archery at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

“Obviously, I’m nervous. The pressure at the Olympics is at a different level as you put in years of effort to win a medal here. It’s a battle within yourself and I’m trying to win against myself here,” Deepika Kumari told reporters after her second-round win on Wednesday.

“You don’t feel the pressure of the people of the country when you shoot here. It does not matter much. It’s your own pressure that often takes a toll. We are always trying to overcome that.”

Deepika had made her Olympics debut in London 2012 as world number one but crashed out of the opening round.

Before Rio 2016 she had raised the expectations once again but only to make a pre-quarterfinal exit.

“Meri kismat hi kharab hai (I guess it’s my bad luck). I don’t know what’s there in store for me. Every time before the Olympics, I win something to be in the limelight. Honestly, I don’t want to be highlighted but it just happens,” she said.

Deepika, who qualified as ninth seed, had an easy first-round draw against world no 193 Karma but there too she struggled to get her best scores and shot a solitary 10 in a three-setter.

However, she will have a two-day break before gearing up for the finals on Saturday when the women’s individual medals will be decided.