Indian para archer and world champion Sheetal Devi has once again showcased her exceptional talent by winning the gold medal in the women’s compound individual category at the World Archery Para Series held in Ahmedabad. With this victory, Sheetal secured the first individual title of her career in the series.
Thrilling Final Against Kazakhstan’s Aizada Seidan
In the final, Sheetal faced a tough challenge from Kazakhstan’s Aizada Seidan. Both archers finished with an identical score of 144-144, forcing the contest into a shoot-off.
Sheetal held her nerve under pressure and scored 10 points in the shoot-off, while Seidan managed 9 points. Sheetal therefore won the closely fought final 10-9 to claim the gold medal.
Season-Best Score in Qualification
Earlier in the qualification round, Sheetal produced her best score of the season, accumulating 698 points to finish at the top of the standings.
The victory comes as a major confidence boost for Sheetal ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. At the previous Hangzhou Asian Para Games, she won titles in both the individual and mixed team events and will be aiming to repeat her dominant performance.
Bronze Medal in Mixed Team Event
Sheetal also won a bronze medal in the mixed team event, partnering with Toman Kumar.
The Indian pair defeated the Iraqi team 157-145 to secure the bronze medal. With this result, India’s medal tally at the series has reached 15 medals, comprising 4 gold, 3 silver and 8 bronze medals.
Sheetal Devi’s Remarkable Para Archery Journey
Sheetal Devi has already achieved several milestones in para archery.
At the 2025 World Para Archery Championships, she created history by becoming the first armless woman to win the world title in the women’s compound individual category.
She had earlier won a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships and secured two Asian Para Games titles.
At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Sheetal won a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the age of 17, becoming India’s youngest Paralympic medallist.
With another major individual title now under her belt, Sheetal Devi continues to emerge as one of India’s biggest stars in para archery.
