Quarter-final exit for archer Phillips in rainy Tokyo

Dave Phillips prepared for heat but found himself dealing with rain as his individual recurve campaign ended at the quarter-final stage.

Archer Phillips got the better of France’s Guillaume Toucoullet, who had qualified seventh, and Vivek Chikara from India on an impressive morning with bow in hand having qualified 26th.

But his last-eight clash with second seed Zhao Lixue from China proved a match too far at Yumenoshima Final Field.

The 55-year-old took the second set to level up at 2-2 but they were to be his last points of the match, eventually going down 6-2 to miss out on the medal contests.

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ParalympicsGB’s archers had trained in Japan to prepare for the heat and humidity that had been seen earlier in the Games – only for low temperatures and heavy rain to greet them on the field.

Phillips’ competition is far from over with he and Hazel Chaisty set to represent ParalympicsGB against Turkey in Saturday’s mixed team recurve.

“I was probably the most prepared archer for the heat and humidity out here,” said Phillips.

“We trained in the heat before we came into the village but then it’s been so wet.

“Unfortunately the match didn’t go in my favour. The focus now will be on tomorrow and hopefully we’ll have better weather.”