Gwangju, South Korea, Sep 27: Eighteen-year-old Sheetal Devi made headlines by winning the gold medal in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship. She achieved this historic feat by defeating world No. 1 Oznur Cure Girdi of Turkey with a score of 146-143 on Saturday.
Sheetal Devi, hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, is the only armless archer in the championship. She shoots using her feet and chin, demonstrating remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament. This victory marks her third medal of the championship, showcasing her exceptional talent and resilience.
Earlier in the tournament, Sheetal won a bronze medal in the mixed team compound event alongside her teammate, Toman Kumar. They triumphed over Great Britain’s duo, Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen, with a close score of 152-149. Despite a strong performance in the open team event alongside Sarita, where they clinched a silver medal, Sheetal’s individual victory stands out.
The individual final proved to be a hard-fought battle. The first end concluded in a tie at 29-all, but Sheetal gained momentum by scoring three 10s in the second end, leading 30-27. After another tie in the third end, where both archers scored 29, a small slip occurred in the fourth where Sheetal scored 28, allowing Girdi to narrow the lead to 116-114.
Undeterred by the pressure, Sheetal sealed her victory with a flawless final end, firing three perfect arrows to finish strong at 146-143.
In the semifinals, the young archer from Jammu had showcased her dominance with a commanding win over Jodie Grinham, defeating her 145-140. This victory was significant as it marked a rematch against Girdi, who had previously edged her out during the Pilsen World Championships in 2023.
While Sheetal found success in individual events, her performance in the open team final with Sarita was a mix of highs and lows. The Indian duo started strongly, outscoring their Turkish counterparts 38-37 in the opening end, hitting three 10s in their first four arrows. However, the Turkish pair quickly responded, producing an impressive comeback.
The second end saw Turkey catch up, ending with a score of 76-all. As nerves started to surface, the Indian team faltered, scoring only 36, while the Turkish archers displayed consistency, adding up to 37 points, thereby establishing a slight lead.
The third end turned into a challenge for Sheetal and Sarita, ultimately losing the contest 148-152. Despite their solid start, the Turkish archers, Oznur Cure Girdi and Bursa Fatma Un, closed in on them, finishing the match nearly flawlessly with a score of 39 out of 40 in the final end.
Sheetal Devi’s incredible achievements at the Para World Archery Championship exemplify determination and the spirit of inclusivity in sports. Her triumph not only serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the nation but also highlights the growing recognition of para sports in India. As she continues to break barriers and set records, many eagerly await her future endeavors in archery.
