India Dominates World Archery Para Series 2026 with 15 Medals in Ahmedabad
Sheetal Devi's Triumph
In a remarkable display of skill, Sheetal Devi secured the gold medal in the women's compound event, contributing to India's impressive medal tally of 15 at the World Archery Para Series 2026 Stage 3 held in Ahmedabad. The event concluded with India winning four golds, three silvers, and eight bronzes on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old world champion triumphed over Kazakhstan's Aizada Seidan in a nail-biting shoot-off after their match ended in a 144-144 tie. Sheetal's decisive arrow scored a 10, while Seidan managed a 9, clinching the title for India at the Sabarmati Riverfront. This victory marked Sheetal's first individual gold at the World Archery Para Series.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Sheetal, ranked World No. 1, entered the elimination rounds as the top seed, having set a new Asian record with a score of 698 during qualification. She defeated Slovakia's Liliana Lacova 147-142 in the round of 16, followed by a 145-142 victory over Great Britain's Jessica Stretton in the quarter-finals, and a close 145-143 win against compatriot Sarita in the semi-finals.
Sarita also earned a podium finish, securing bronze by defeating Wang Huiting from China 141-140 in the bronze medal match.
Team Success and World Records
Earlier in the competition, Sheetal and fellow athlete Rakesh Kumar set a new world record in the mixed team event, scoring 1,400 points in the compound mixed team qualification, surpassing their previous record of 1,399. Sheetal contributed 698 points, while Rakesh added 702.
In the elimination rounds, Toman Kumar replaced Rakesh and partnered with Sheetal, leading to a bronze medal victory against Iraq with a score of 157-145. India narrowly missed the gold medal match after a shoot-off loss to China.
India's Overall Medal Performance
In addition to Sheetal's achievements, Bhawna and Harvinder Singh secured another gold in the recurve mixed team event, defeating China's Liang Qiurong and Xia Lei 6-0 in the final.
Bhawna also earned a bronze in the women's individual recurve event, while Toman Kumar concluded his individual campaign with a bronze after defeating Iraq's Abbas Kadhim 143-138.
Final Day Highlights
The final day of the competition added to India's success, with Toman Kumar and Shyam Sunder Swami winning gold in the compound men's doubles against Iraq 152-139. Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi also claimed gold in the recurve men's doubles, beating Slovakia 6-2.
Bhawna and Pooja took silver in the recurve women's doubles, while Swati Chaudhary and Adil Mohamed Nazir Ansari were runners-up in the W1 mixed team event, a category for athletes with significant physical impairments.
Medal Winners Overview
World Archery Para Series 2026 Ahmedabad: Indian Medal Winners
Gold
Women's individual compound: Sheetal Devi
Men's compound doubles: Toman Kumar, Shyam Sunder Swami
Men's recurve doubles: Harvinder Singh, Vijay Sundi
Recurve mixed team: Bhawna, Harvinder Singh
Silver
Women's recurve doubles: Bhawna, Pooja
W1 mixed team: Swati Chaudhary, Adil Mohamed Nazir Ansari
Visually impaired: Tanvi Pravin Ingale
Bronze
Women's individual compound: Sarita
Men's individual compound: Toman Kumar
Compound mixed team: Sheetal Devi, Toman Kumar
Women's individual recurve: Bhawna
W1 women individual: Swati Chaudhary
W1 men's doubles: Adil Mohamed Nazir Ansari, Naveen Dalal
W1 women's doubles: Swati Chaudhary, Vasundhra Teotia
Visually impaired: Yugal Garg.
Event Significance
This competition, held in Ahmedabad from September 5 to 9, marked a historic moment as it was the first time India hosted a World Archery Para Series event.