Gwangju, South Korea — Eighteen-year-old Indian armless archer Sheetal Devi made history on September 27, 2023, by defeating Turkey’s world No.1 Oznur Cure Girdi 146-143 to clinch gold in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship. This remarkable achievement not only showcases her extraordinary talent but also raises the profile of para archery in India.

Competing against a formidable opponent, Sheetal, the sole armless participant in the event, utilizes her feet and chin to shoot arrows. Through sheer determination and strength, she secured her third medal of the championship. Earlier, she earned a mixed team bronze alongside Toman Kumar, overcoming Great Britain’s duo Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen with a score of 152-149.

In addition, Sheetal and her teammate Sarita garnered silver in the women’s open team event, where they faced a tough battle against the Turkish team, ultimately losing 148-152 in the final.

The final match was nothing short of thrilling, as both competitors displayed exceptional skill. The first end ended in a tie at 29-all, but Sheetal surged ahead in the second end, scoring three perfect 10s to lead 30-27. She maintained her composure in the third end, matching Girdi’s 29, while a minor lapse in the fourth end saw her score 28, allowing Girdi to narrow the gap to 116-114 in Sheetal’s favor.

However, Sheetal sealed her maiden gold with an exceptional final end, delivering three perfect arrows that contributed to her overall victory. Previously in the semifinals, she also demonstrated her prowess by defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham with a commanding score of 145-140.

This title clash marked a significant moment in her career, as it served as an opportunity for redemption. At the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, Girdi had narrowly defeated Sheetal 140-138. With this victory, Sheetal avenged her previous loss and established herself as a formidable competitor in international archery.

During the open team final, the Indian duo started strong by edging out their Turkish opponents in the opening end. However, despite their earlier momentum, nerves impacted their performance as the match progressed. The Indian archers managed only one 10 accompanied by two 9s and an 8 in the third end, allowing Turkey’s consistent shooting to secure a 37-point lead over India.

As the match reached a thrilling conclusion, Turkey’s archer Girdi and her teammate Un executed an almost flawless final end, achieving 39 out of a possible 40 points. In contrast, Sheetal and Sarita faltered with a final score of 36, leading to Turkey wrapping up the gold medal with a four-point advantage.

Sheetal’s journey illustrates the resilience and spirit of para athletes as she continues to inspire not only aspiring archers but all individuals with her remarkable story. Her achievements reflect the growing recognition and support for para sports in India, paving the way for future generations of athletes.

Gwangju, South Korea — Eighteen-year-old Indian armless archer Sheetal Devi made history on September 27, 2023, by defeating Turkey’s world No.1 Oznur Cure Girdi 146-143 to clinch gold in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship. This remarkable achievement not only showcases her extraordinary talent but also raises the profile of para archery in India.

Competing against a formidable opponent, Sheetal, the sole armless participant in the event, utilizes her feet and chin to shoot arrows. Through sheer determination and strength, she secured her third medal of the championship. Earlier, she earned a mixed team bronze alongside Toman Kumar, overcoming Great Britain’s duo Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen with a score of 152-149.

In addition, Sheetal and her teammate Sarita garnered silver in the women’s open team event, where they faced a tough battle against the Turkish team, ultimately losing 148-152 in the final.

The final match was nothing short of thrilling, as both competitors displayed exceptional skill. The first end ended in a tie at 29-all, but Sheetal surged ahead in the second end, scoring three perfect 10s to lead 30-27. She maintained her composure in the third end, matching Girdi’s 29, while a minor lapse in the fourth end saw her score 28, allowing Girdi to narrow the gap to 116-114 in Sheetal’s favor.

However, Sheetal sealed her maiden gold with an exceptional final end, delivering three perfect arrows that contributed to her overall victory. Previously in the semifinals, she also demonstrated her prowess by defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham with a commanding score of 145-140.

This title clash marked a significant moment in her career, as it served as an opportunity for redemption. At the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, Girdi had narrowly defeated Sheetal 140-138. With this victory, Sheetal avenged her previous loss and established herself as a formidable competitor in international archery.

During the open team final, the Indian duo started strong by edging out their Turkish opponents in the opening end. However, despite their earlier momentum, nerves impacted their performance as the match progressed. The Indian archers managed only one 10 accompanied by two 9s and an 8 in the third end, allowing Turkey’s consistent shooting to secure a 37-point lead over India.

As the match reached a thrilling conclusion, Turkey’s archer Girdi and her teammate Un executed an almost flawless final end, achieving 39 out of a possible 40 points. In contrast, Sheetal and Sarita faltered with a final score of 36, leading to Turkey wrapping up the gold medal with a four-point advantage.

Sheetal’s journey illustrates the resilience and spirit of para athletes as she continues to inspire not only aspiring archers but all individuals with her remarkable story. Her achievements reflect the growing recognition and support for para sports in India, paving the way for future generations of athletes.