India's two women archers carry medal hopes on Thursday, but which of them is more likely to succeed? The qualifying rounds saw the best and worst of Deepika Kumari: She missed the target with the last arrow of the seventh round, but bounced back with 13 perfect 10s from 30 arrows. However, having lived under her shadow before the Olympics got underway, it is Bombayla Devi who has hauled herself into the reckoning after two commanding displays.
Deepika Kumari vs Tan Ya-ting
There will be a big casualty at the end of this contest, and the tide is certainly with Chinese Taipei's Tan Ya-ting, who is ranked 2nd in world. Tan is widely regarded as one of the fastest improving archers on the circuit.
In the run up to the event, Tan upset the vastly experienced Chang Hye-jin of Korea during the World Cup in June. The 22-year-old already has a medal to her name, having clinched the bronze medal in the group event.
Deepika's chances
The Ranchi archer has her task cut out, having landed a tough draw. A win here will surely put her in the running for a medal, such has been her opponent's form entering the last 16. After a crushing 7-1 win in the round of 64, Tan followed that effort by blanking Anastisia Pavlova of the Ukraine 6-0 in the previous game.
It has been the Indian's erratic performances in recent times that has seen her world ranking slip to fifth after reaching the summit. Nothing less than 10s will do.
Bombayla Devi vs Alejandra Valencia
Mexico's Alejandra Valencia helped her country reach the quarter-finals of the group event, narrowly losing out to Chinese Taipei. At 21, Valencia is in her second Olympics. Despite her tender age, she put up creditable displays in London four years ago, finishing 4th in the team ranking round.Valencia, ranked 18th in the world, has had a tough run to the Round of 16, just about managing to keep her nerve to win her games by a slender margin.
Bombayla Devi's chances
As it stands, things look bright for the Manipuri archer, who is competing in her third summer games. Bombayla has already shown that higher ranked players don't faze her; Lin Shih-chia pf Chinese Taipei was stunned 6-2 in the round of 32. In big events, players have shown that it is experience that counts during crunch situations. Bombayla Devi is probably India's better bet to progress to the next round.
The road ahead
Defeating Valencia will see Bombayla come up against the top ranked Choi Mi-Sun of Korea in the quarterfinals. As for Deepika Kumari, she will be facing Germany's Lisa Unruh or China's Cao Hui in the last eight if she wins. At least on paper, facing either of them should be an easier prospect the mighty Tan.
Unfortunately for India, Bombayla and Deepika will clash in the semi-finals if they win their next two matches.
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