Bhajan Kaur, a young Indian archer, emerged as a hero at the Final Olympic Qualifier in Antalya, Turkey on Sunday. Not only did she clinch the gold medal in the women’s recurve individual event, but her win also secured a crucial quota for India at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
This achievement comes after a tense few days for the Indian archery team. While more established archer Deepika Kumari disappointingly exited early, Bhajan Kaur, ranked third, surprised everyone with her exceptional shooting throughout the competition. She dominated the finals against top-seeded Mobina Fallah of Iran, winning 6-2 (28-26, 29-29, 29-26, 29-29).
Bhajan Kaur’s gold medal is not just a personal triumph, but a significant win for India. This quota marks the second secured for archery at the Paris Games. Dhiraj Bommadevara had already secured a men’s individual berth in November. With individual quotas limited to one per nation per gender and only the top eight receiving them, Bhajan Kaur’s win ensures India will be well-represented in archery at the Olympics.
This victory is particularly sweet considering the Indian women’s team, which Bhajan Kaur is a part of, fell short of securing a team quota earlier in the tournament. Bhajan Kaur’s individual win now means India will have at least one strong competitor in the women’s recurve event at the Paris Olympics.
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