Focus on men’s team and Deepika’s performance

Consistency will be the password for the lone woman qualifier as she has her own reputation to defend

India, unlike in Rio 2016, will not have a full house in Tokyo, what with only four archers making the grade. The absence of the women’s team will be felt greatly, which is inescapable as India will now take a shot in only four of the five events to be held. The country is yet to win a medal in the sport at this level, though it has had a steady participation in the discipline since Seoul 1988. In Tokyo, the key focus, however, will be on the men’s team and the performance of Deepika Kumari, the lone woman qualifier. The talented Odisha archer, who has had her skills honed at the Jamshedpur-based Tata Sports Academy, is back as World No. 1. A lot is expected from Deepika as she shoots to a possible run for glory in her third Olympics. She was tipped to do well in both London 2012 and Rio four years later, but fared badly, going through her shots hurriedly and thus losing momentum.