Sheetal Devi Shines at Asian Para Games 2026 with Gold Medal Win
Sheetal Devi's Remarkable Victory
File image of para archer Sheetal Devi (Photo: X)
Nagoya, Oct 22: In an impressive display of skill, Sheetal Devi clinched the gold medal in the women's compound individual final at the Asian Para Games 2026, defeating Singapore’s Nur Syahidah Alim with a score of 142-139. This victory marked India's 17th gold at the event.
Sheetal, who previously won the title in 2023, showcased her resilience by overcoming a four-point deficit during the match.
The final was a true test of her focus, as she initially trailed 55-59, with a challenging second end that saw her score only 26 points. Nevertheless, the 18-year-old athlete bounced back spectacularly, achieving two consecutive perfect scores of 30 to regain the lead and secure her win.
This triumph highlighted an exceptional performance by Sheetal in Aichi-Nagoya, reaffirming her status as a top competitor in international para archery. She had already made waves in the qualification round by matching the world record with a score of 704 out of 720, surpassing her own Asian record of 698 set earlier this year in Bangkok.
In addition to her individual gold, Sheetal also excelled in the mixed team compound event, where she teamed up with Toman Kumar to defeat Indonesia 151-148. The duo had previously set a world record in mixed team qualification with a combined score of 1402, breaking the former record of 1400.
Her achievements in Nagoya also included a silver medal in the women's compound doubles alongside Payal Nag, where they topped the qualification standings with a combined score of 1379, establishing new records for both the Asian and Asian Para Games.
With two golds and one silver in this edition, Sheetal has matched her impressive three-medal tally from the 2023 Asian Para Games. This latest victory adds to her accolades, which include the women’s individual compound gold in Hangzhou and a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.