Sheetal Devi Wins Two Gold Medals at Asian Para Games, Equals World Record

Japan , October 23 : Indian para archer Sheetal Devi delivered an outstanding performance at the Asian Para Games in Japan, winning two gold medals in a single day and equalling the world record in the women's individual compound qualification event. The 19-year-old archer from Jammu and Kashmir defeated Singapore's Alim Nur Syahidah 142-139 in the individual compound final, securing her fourth Asian Para Games gold medal.

 

 

Devi was trailing 55-59 in the final before making a remarkable comeback by hitting six consecutive tens, including four inner tens. She had previously defeated the same opponent in the final at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

 

Earlier on Thursday, Devi won the compound mixed team title alongside Toman Kumar Taram. However, she and Payal Nag had lost the women's doubles final a day earlier, settling for silver. After the defeat, Devi spoke with her coach, Gaurav Sharma, and spent time with her mother, Shakti Devi, who is accompanying her in Japan.

 

Speaking about her performance, Devi said, "Yesterday, with Mata Rani's blessings, we won silver, and today we have won two gold medals." She added that athletes work hard throughout the year for such achievements and expressed happiness at meeting the expectations placed on her.

 

Earlier in the competition, Devi scored 704 out of 720 in the women's individual compound qualification round, equalling the world record set by Turkey's Oznur Cure at the Paris Paralympics.

 

Her performance, combined with Toman Kumar Taram's score of 698 out of 720, helped India establish a new world record in the mixed team qualification event.

 

Devi also broke the individual match world record during the knockout rounds. She scored 149 points in her 149-134 victory over Hong Kong's Chan Yuen Wah in the pre-quarterfinals. She subsequently defeated Japan's Shinohara Aya in the semifinals to secure her place in the final.

 

 

 

National coach Gaurav Sharma said changing wind conditions posed a challenge during the mixed team and individual finals. He explained that Devi adjusted her technique and aim to counter the wind and demonstrated her ability to recover under pressure.

 

Across the qualification rounds and knockouts, Devi recorded 102 tens, including 55 inner tens. Sharma said her training includes specialised sessions to improve accuracy and prepare her to deliver inner tens during crucial moments.

 

Alongside para archery, Devi has been competing in able-bodied events since last year. She trains in Patiala with archers Parneet Kaur, a 2023 World Championships women's team gold medallist, and Sangampreet Singh Bisla, the 2021 World University Games champion.

 

According to Sharma, the training programme aims to help Devi compete against high-quality able-bodied archers and strengthen her confidence through regular trials and competitions.

 

With compound mixed team archery set to make its debut at the Los Angeles Olympics, the coaching team is preparing Devi for the challenges ahead. Her training includes improvements in grip and core strength, along with adjustments to her back and neck positions to reduce stress on her body.

 

Devi is expected to continue competing in both para and able-bodied archery events over the coming year as she works towards her future sporting goals.