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The Paris Paralympics 2024 witnessed a heart-wrenching loss for India's archery team as Harvinder Singh and Pooja Khanna narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the mixed team recurve event. The duo, despite a valiant effort, fell short against Slovenia's Dejan Fabcic and Ziva Lavrinc in a nail-biting shootout, following a tense match that ended in a 4-4 tie after four sets.
Harvinder, aiming for his third Paralympic medal, and Pooja, vying for her first, displayed impressive archery skills throughout the match. The Indian pair started strong, securing the first set with a score of 17 points against Slovenia's 15. However, the second set proved to be a challenge, with Slovenia taking the lead with a score of 16 against India's 11.
In the third set, India regained their composure and secured the set with a score of 38 against Slovenia's 35, putting them one set away from the bronze medal. The final set witnessed an intense battle for every point, with the scores tied at 34 with two shots remaining. Slovenia, however, managed to gain the upper hand with a final score of 44 against India's 43, forcing a shootout.
The shootout was a nerve-wracking affair, with both teams showcasing remarkable precision. While Harvinder and Pooja delivered impressive shots, Slovenia ultimately secured the bronze medal with a final score of 29 against India's 27, marking their first archery medal at the Paralympics.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, India's archery team returned from Paris with a gold medal in the men's individual event, won by Harvinder Singh, and a bronze medal in the mixed team recurve event. This performance serves as a testament to the dedication and talent of the Indian archers on the global stage.
The mixed team recurve event at the Paris Paralympics 2024 proved to be a thrilling competition, showcasing the impressive skills and determination of the participating athletes. While India's quest for a bronze medal fell short, their overall performance at the Games is a source of pride for the nation. The archers' unwavering commitment and the spirit of sportsmanship they demonstrated are a true inspiration to aspiring athletes across the globe.
Source: Paris Paralympics 2024: Harvinder-Pooja suffer heartbreak in bronze medal match