JOIN USArchana Kamath’s stunning run in the table tennis competition of the Youth Olympics ended with a loss in the semifinals here on Wednesday.
She lost 1-4 after valiantly trying to prevail over the second seed from China, Yingsha Sun, in a tense encounter. Archana is still in the running for the bronze medal though, when she takes on Romania’s Andreea Dragoman.
The 18-year-old from Karnataka had created history in the morning, becoming the first Indian ever to enter the semifinals of the Youth Olympics. She defeated Azerbaijan’s Ning Jing 4-3 to achieve this feat.
Archana had her opportunity in the fourth game, 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 3-11, 7-11 and 6-11 had left her 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.
The Chinese girl eventually claimed the game 11-5 to march into the final.
Earlier, Archana had to use all her skills, energy and nerves to overcome Jing 4-3. She pulled off a 13-11, 8-11, 6-11, 11-3, 6-11, 12-10, 11-7 win in the quarterfinals.
“It was a tough match and she fought till the very end. So I am very happy that I could win. But credit should also go her because she played really well,” said the Bengalurean.