Indian archer
Rakesh Kumar on Saturday defeated Hong Kong’s Ngai Ka Chuen 144-131 in the 1/16
round of men’s individual compound event at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics. The
World Number 11 has now entered the round of 16.

Kumar, who won an individual gold medal at the first world ranking tournament in Dubai earlier this year, broke
his personal best to finish third in the qualifying round on Friday. He shot 53
perfect 10s, and 17 X’s to finish with a total of 699 points out a possible 720,
level with Iran’s Ramezan Biabani – who had more arrows hitting the X.

In today’s
elimination match, Rakesh started with shots of 10, 10, 9 to establish a 29-27
lead after the first set of three arrows. He maintained his form over the
second and third and kept ahead of his Hong Kong opponent, ending the third
round with the score at 87-79.

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Kumar’s aim
was true for the rest of the match as well, as he maintained his lead and
finished with a score of 144-131.

Earlier
today, archer Shyam Sundar lost against American Matt Stutzman in the
individual compound 1/16 elimination round. He conceded an early trail to Stutzman
and tied to pull it back, but the American’s fine display ensured he sealed a narrow
142-139 win.

In the
ranking round, Sundar finished with a season-best score of 682 points, but it
was only enough for him to clinch a lowly 21st position. He, along
with Kumar, was seeded straight into the draw for the round of 64.

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Meanwhile,
in the women’s event, world no 22 Jyoti Baliyan secured a 15th rank
in the compound open event with 671 points.

Jyoti, who
won a silver in a mixed event at the 2019 Asian Para Championships, and Kumar secured
sixth ranking in the compound mixed pair open category.