Akash and Himani make pre-quarters at YOG

Indian archers Akash Malik and Himani Kumari kept themselves in the medal hunt, advancing to their pre-quarterfinal rounds of their respective events at the Youth Olympic Game, here Monday.

The 16-year-old Akash, who trains at the Army Sports Institute in Pune, showed courage to down Canadian Benjamen Lee in the shoot-off of his round one contest in the recurve cadet men's individual event.

Trailing 3-5 after fourth set, Akash shot two perfect 10s in the fifth set to level 5-5 and take the battle into the shoot-off where both shot 9-all but the Indian was adjudged winner with his arrow closer to the centre.

Akash will face Jose Manuel Solera of Spain for a place in the quarterfinals.

Himani had an easy first round outing, cruising past Jil Walter of Samoa 7-1 to set up a last-16 clash against Catalina Gnoriega of the USA in he women's recurve cadet individual event.