London: While the World will be waiting for the extravagant opening ceremony of the London Olympics on Friday, the hyped Indian archers spearheaded by World number 1. Deepika Kumari would take their bows aiming to start off their Olympic campaign on a high note at the Hallowed Ground of Lord’s.
The archers would start their campaign with the ranking rounds for the draw and they do look a serious force in the event. Archers would have 720 points on offer and in a 70 metre round with 12 sets of six arrows each. Good position in the ranking rounds would see them possibly avoiding higher ranked players in the team’s and individual finals.
While the women contingent would see Deepika, Chekrovolo Swuro, Bombayla Devi, the men's team would be represented by Rahul Banerjee, Tarundeep Rai and Jayanta Talukdar.
Well the ways things have looked ahead of the Olympics, Indian are primed to win medals here. Deepika, the prodigy from Jharkhand enters the event as the numero archer of the World and that is not all that they have to cheer about. Indian women’s team comprising of Chekrovolo Swuro, Bombayla Devi and Deepika Kumari are the ranked number two in the World.
Lord’s the venue for the Archery event has seen many famous Indian victories and the team has already decided to do a Sourav Ganguly (taking off their shirts and wave it) if they win here.
This is the first time that India has earned all six quota places after the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Koreans are seen as the toughest opponent but then it should be a tough job for them to break the bastion do they play to their potential. Indians did have favorable outings against their much feared Korean rivals in recent past and that should help them. Friday’s ranking would also matter a lot and if not for anything then to judge the kind of form they are in.
The team finals are scheduled for July 28 (for men) and 29 (for women) while the individual finals would take place on August 2 (women) and 3 (men).
By Indian Sports News Network
