Gwangju (South Korea), Sep 27: Eighteen-year-old Indian archer Sheetal Devi became a sensation in the world of para sports by defeating Turkey’s world No.1 Oznur Cure Girdi, scoring 146-143, to clinch gold in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship.
This remarkable achievement took place during a thrilling final on Saturday that solidified her status as a leading figure in the sport. Sheetal, the only armless archer competing, utilizes her feet and chin to shoot arrows, showcasing incredible skill and determination.
Sheetal has now dominated the championships, securing three medals in total. Before her historic gold, she collaborated with Toman Kumar to bag bronze in the mixed team event, defeating Great Britain’s duo of Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen 152-149.
Despite facing fierce competition, Sheetal’s performance shone through. She and teammate Sarita clinched a silver in the compound women’s open team event after a tense final against Turkey.
The final match against Girdi began as a competitive duel, with both archers scoring a tie of 29 in the first end. However, Sheetal quickly regained momentum by shooting three 10s in the second end, gaining an early lead by winning it 30-27.
The next end also ended in a tie, which set the stage for a critical fourth end where Sheetal scored 28, allowing Girdi to take it by one point. However, Sheetal maintained her composure, emerging with a slight advantage at 116-114.
Proving her mettle, she sealed her first gold medal with an outstanding final end, nocking three perfect arrows for a score of 30.
In the semifinals prior to her remarkable gold finish, the Jammu and Kashmir native displayed sheer dominance over Grinham, achieving a 145-140 victory and paving her way to the finals. This final was particularly significant as it was a repeat of the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, where Girdi had narrowly defeated Sheetal, 140-138. However, Sheetal turned the tables, revenging her earlier defeat.
In another shining moment for Indian archery, Sheetal and Sarita entered the open team final against Turkish archers Oznur Cure Girdi and Bursa Fatma Un. The Indians started strong, edging the Turks 38-37 in the first end.
However, the Turkish team displayed resilience, leveling the scores by the end of the second round, both teams scoring 76 points. Nervousness crept into the Indian duo in the third end as they could only manage a total of 36 points.
The Turkish archers capitalized on this, leading by one point heading into the final end. In a brilliant performance, Girdi and Un shot 39 out of a possible 40, sealing a four-point margin victory over the Indians, who faltered with a 36, including a low score of 7 in one shot.
Sheetal Devi’s journey as a para athlete continues to inspire millions across India. Her recent victory at the Para World Archery Championship not only enhances her status but also highlights the remarkable potential of para athletes in India. With unwavering determination and skill, she continues to break barriers and redefine possibilities in archery.
