Gwangju (South Korea), Sep 27: Sheetal Devi, an 18-year-old Indian armless archer, made history by winning gold in the women’s compound individual event at the Para World Archery Championship on Saturday. She defeated Turkiye’s world No.1, Oznur Cure Girdi, with a score of 146-143, showcasing incredible skill and determination.
In a remarkable feat, Sheetal, who is the only armless archer in the competition, utilized her feet and chin to shoot, earning her third medal at the championships. Her previous achievements include winning bronze in the mixed team event with Toman Kumar, where they triumphed over Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen with a score of 152-149.
In the women’s open team category, Sheetal and Sarita earned a silver medal after a tough final against Turkey. Despite their strong start, the duo ultimately settled for second place.
During the individual final, tension filled the air as Sheetal and Girdi faced off. The first end ended in a tie, both scoring 29. However, Sheetal regained momentum by delivering three 10s in the second end, taking a lead with a score of 30-27.
The third end also concluded tied at 29, but Sheetal’s only score drop occurred in the fourth end, where she received a score of 28, allowing Girdi to close the gap. Sheetal still held a narrow lead at 116-114.
Sealing her victory, Sheetal finished strong with three perfect arrows in the final end, scoring 30 and capturing her first gold medal at the Para World Archery Championship.
In the semifinals, Sheetal showcased her prowess by defeating Jodie Grinham 145-140, progressing confidently to the finals. This championship proved especially significant as it provided Sheetal a chance to avenge her earlier loss to Girdi at the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, where she fell short 140-138.
In the open team final, the Indian duo of Sheetal and Sarita started strongly, edging the Turkish opponents, Oznur Cure Girdi and Bursa Fatma Un, in the first end by a score of 38-37. Their early performance included three 10s from the first four arrows, while the Turkish team managed only one 10.
However, the second end saw a turnaround for Turkey, outscoring India by one point, bringing the score to a balanced 76-all. In a further challenge, nerves got the better of the Indian pair in the third end, where they scored just 36 against Turkey’s 37, placing them at a one-point disadvantage.
Ultimately, the Turkish team displayed relentless accuracy in the final end, scoring 39 out of a possible 40, whereas the Indian team faltered, reaching only 36 and missing critical shots. This result confirmed Turkey as the gold medalists by a four-point margin.
Sheetal Devi’s achievements at the Para World Archery Championship serve not only as a personal triumph but also as an inspiration to many. Her ability to overcome challenges and shine on a global platform highlights the spirit of perseverance embodied by athletes with disabilities.
