Youth Olympics: Archana falters after stunning run

The paddler loses to second seed Yingsha Sun after becoming the first Indian ever to enter the semifinals at the Youth Olympics.

File Photo: Archana Kamath lost 4-3 to second seed Yingsha Sun.

India’s Archana Kamath’s inspiring run came to an end in the table tennis semifinals at the Youth Olympics here on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old paddler from Karnataka lost 4-1 after valiantly trying to unravel Yingsha Sun, the second seed from China, in a tense encounter. Archana still remained in the running for the bronze medal, though; she was to take on Romania’s Andreea Dragoman later in the evening.

Earlier in the morning, she created history by becoming the first Indian ever to enter the semifinals of the event. She defeated Azerbaijan’s Ning Jing 4-3 to achieve this feat.

Archana had her opportunity in the fourth game in the semis, when she raced away to 5-0 lead and literally toyed with Yingsha to win it 11-1. But her loss in the first three games at 3, 7 and 6 had left her with a mountain to climb. She fought valiantly in the fifth game, which proved to be the decider, but Yingsha had recovered her poise to unleash a series of winners.

Archana still remained in the running for the bronze medal though, as she was to take on Romania’s Andreea Dragoman later in the evening.