Gwangju (South Korea), Sep 27: Eighteen-year-old Indian armless archer Sheetal Devi made history by defeating Turkey’s world No.1 Oznur Cure Girdi 146-143 to secure the gold in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship on Saturday. This remarkable achievement not only highlights Sheetal’s talent but also places her among the elite archers globally.
Sheetal, who is the only armless archer competing in this championship, showcases her incredible skill by shooting arrows using her feet and chin. Remarkably, this gold medal marks her third medal at the event, demonstrating her impressive consistency and ability to perform under pressure.
Earlier in the championship, Sheetal won a bronze medal in the mixed team event, teaming up with Toman Kumar to defeat Great Britain’s duo of Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen 152-149. Additionally, she and Sarita claimed a silver medal in the compound women’s open team event after facing a tough final against the Turkish pair.
The individual final was intensely competitive. Both archers exhibited mastery, with the first end ending tied at 29 each. However, Sheetal took control in the second end, scoring three perfect 10s, leading the way 30-27.
Despite a slight dip in form during the fourth end, where she scored 28—losing that segment to Girdi by a point—Sheetal maintained a narrow lead of 116-114. She sealed her victory with a flawless final end, hitting three perfect arrows for a score of 30.
Before this gold medal match, Sheetal’s semifinals showcased her dominance, where she routed Great Britain’s Grinham 145-140 to secure her spot in the finals. This title match provided her a chance for redemption against Girdi, who had narrowly defeated her at the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, and Sheetal successfully avenged that loss.
In the women’s open team final, despite a strong start, Sheetal and Sarita fell short, losing to Turkey with a score of 148-152. During this match, the Indian archers began brightly, edging their opponents 38-37 in the first end.
However, the Turkish archers quickly countered, rallying with three 10s and a nine to level the score at 76-all after the second end. The third end saw a shift in momentum as nerves began to affect the Indian duo; they managed only one 10 amidst two 9s and an 8, yielding a total of 36. Turkey capitalized, scoring 37, taking a narrow one-point lead into the final end.
In the critical concluding end, the Turkish duo proved nearly flawless, hitting 39 out of a possible 40, whereas the Indian pair struggled, finishing with 36, including a shot that landed in the 7-ring, resulting in Turkey securing the gold medal by four points.
Sheetal Devi’s journey in Gwangju signifies not just her personal triumph but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, especially those with disabilities. Her dedication to the sport challenges the norms and inspires many across the nation.
As India continues to shine on the global sports stage, Sheetal’s achievements at the Para World Archery Championship further exemplify the spirit of perseverance and excellence in Indian sports.
