Thinley Namgay

With the elimination of para-archer Pema Rigsel on October 24, three of the four para-athletes representing Bhutan at the ongoing fourth Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, have exited the games.

In the men’s individual recurve elimination round of 16 on October 24, Pema Rigsel lost to Sahil of India 4-6 points. In the elimination round, whoever gets six points first is declared the winner.

Pema and Sahil played five sets. In each set, three arrows were shot, totalling 30 points.

Pema was able to win the first and the third sets with 24-22, and 27-23 points. The opponent won the second, fourth and fifth sets with 27-24, 25-21, and 22-18 points, respectively.

Pema Rigsel said: “I tried my best but the result was not what I expected. Luck wasn’t on my part. Although my opponent ranked higher than me but he is not a sharp shooter.”

He said that he could play confidently compared to the previous competitions, adding that his aim is to work hard in the future by applying the lessons learnt in the Asian Para Games. “I realised that proper sighting and breath control plays a crucial role.”

On October 27, the remaining para-athlete, Chimi Dema, will compete in a shot-put event. “I will give my best,” she said.

At the fifth Indian Open International Para-Athletics Championship in May this year, 30-year-old Chimi Dema from Mongar set her new record in the shot put by throwing 5.71 metres and also won the silver medal.

Shooter Kinley Dem and badminton player Sapuna Subba were eliminated from the games on October 23.