Gwangju (South Korea), Sep 27: Eighteen-year-old Indian armless archer Sheetal Devi made history today by winning the gold medal in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship. She secured her victory by defeating Turkey’s world No.1 Oznur Cure Girdi with a score of 146-143.
Sheetal Devi, the only armless archer competing, showcases her remarkable skills by shooting with her feet and chin. This victory marks her third medal at the championship, following her earlier triumphs in both the mixed team and women’s team events.
In the mixed team event, Sheetal partnered with Toman Kumar to win a bronze medal. They edged out Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen with a score of 152-149. However, in the women’s open team final, Sheetal and Sarita had to settle for silver after a nail-biting match with Turkey, losing 148-152.
The individual final today unfolded as a gripping contest. The first end concluded in a tie, with both competitors scoring 29. Demonstrating remarkable composure, Sheetal turned up her game in the second end, scoring three 10s to claim the lead with a score of 30-27.
The third end continued the competitive nature of the match, again resulting in a tie at 29. Sheetal experienced a slight dip in form during the fourth end, scoring 28 while Girdi secured 29, bringing Sheetal’s overall score to 116 against Girdi’s 114.
Sheetal secured gold in style, exhibiting precision in the final end by hitting three perfect arrows for a score of 30. Prior to this final, she defeated Jodie Grinham of Great Britain in the semifinals with a commanding score of 145-140, showcasing her prowess throughout the tournament.
Today’s final was particularly poignant, as it allowed Sheetal to avenge her earlier defeat by Girdi at the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, where Girdi had narrowly triumphed 140-138.
In the women’s open team final, Sheetal and Sarita had a strong start, narrowly leading the Turkish duo with a score of 38-37 in the first end. The Indian pair initially showed promise by scoring three 10s out of the first four arrows, while Turkey managed just one 10.
However, the Turkish archers regained momentum in the second end, scoring three 10s and a nine to level the contest at 76. Tension grew during the third end, where Sheetal and Sarita could only manage a total of 36, while their competitors excelled with a 37, taking a one-point lead.
In the final end, Turkey’s archers were nearly flawless, scoring 39 from a possible 40, while the Indian duo faced a setback with a score of 36, including one arrow landing in the 7-ring. Despite their effort, the Turkish team sealed victory with a four-point margin.
Sheetal Devi’s incredible performance at the Para World Archery Championship not only brought glory to her but also inspired archers across India, particularly showcasing the strength of differently-abled athletes on a global platform.