Armless para-archer Sheetal Devi led India's charge at the World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad, securing a gold and a bronze. India finished second in the overall medal standings with a total of 15 medals.
- Sheetal Devi won individual gold and compound mixed team bronze.
- India secured 4 gold, 3 silver, and 8 bronze medals.
- Czechia topped the medal table with 5 gold medals.
The World Archery Para Series concluded in Ahmedabad with a spectacular display of skill and resilience from the Indian contingent. On the final day of the competition, India added six more medals to its tally, bringing its total to 15 medals. The host nation finished second in the overall standings, trailing slightly behind Czechia, which secured the top spot with five gold medals.
The standout performer of the event was Sheetal Devi, the armless para-archer who continues to defy all odds. In a high-tension final for the women's individual gold, Sheetal faced Kazakhstan's Seidan Aizada. After the match ended in a 144-144 deadlock, Sheetal demonstrated nerves of steel in the shoot-off, winning 10-9 to claim the gold medal.
Sheetal's success extended to the team events as well. Partnering with Toman Kumar, she secured a bronze medal in the compound mixed team event, defeating Iraq's Hameed Sarah and Kadhim Abbas with a score of 157-145.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that India's consistent performance in para-sports is a result of targeted investment in accessibility and specialized coaching. Finishing second globally in this series indicates that India is no longer an underdog but a dominant force in para-archery, positioning the country as a serious contender for upcoming Paralympic cycles.
Sheetal Devi's ability to maintain precision under extreme pressure is a masterclass in mental fortitude and athletic adaptation.
Other significant achievements included the recurve mixed team final, where Bhawna and Harvinder Singh delivered a crushing 6-0 victory over China's Lang Quirong and Xia Lei to bag gold. Bhawna further added to her tally by defeating compatriot Rajshri Rathod 6-0 for the individual bronze.
The compound categories also saw Indian dominance. Toman Kumar defeated Abbas 143-138, while Sarita narrowly beat China's Wang Huiting 141-140 to secure the bronze in the men's and women's compound events, respectively.
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czechia | 5 | - | - | 5+ |
| India | 4 | 3 | 8 | 15 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many medals did India win in total at the World Archery Para Series?
A: India won a total of 15 medals, consisting of 4 gold, 3 silver, and 8 bronze.
Q2: Who won the women's individual gold in the compound category?
A: Sheetal Devi won the gold after defeating Kazakhstan's Seidan Aizada in a shoot-off.
