Gwangju (South Korea), Sep 27: Eighteen-year-old Indian armless archer Sheetal Devi etched her name in the history books by defeating world No.1 Oznur Cure Girdi of Turkiye 146-143 to clinch the gold in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship on Saturday.
Sheetal, the only armless archer competing, employs her feet and chin for shooting. This victory marks her third medal of the championship. Earlier, she secured a bronze in the mixed team compound event with teammate Toman Kumar, overcoming the British pair of Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen with a score of 152-149.
In the women’s open team event, Sheetal and her partner Sarita won the silver medal after finishing second to Turkey. Their performance showcased teamwork and determination, although they fell short in the final.
The individual final tested Sheetal’s abilities further. The first end concluded in a tie at 29, but she gained momentum by scoring three 10s in the second end to lead 30-27. The third end mirrored the first, as both competitors scored 29. Remarkably, despite a minor setback in the fourth end where she scored 28, Sheetal retained her lead at 116-114.
Sheetal sealed her historic gold with a flawless final effort, sending three perfect arrows into the target for a score of 30. Earlier, she had secured her place in the finals through a commanding performance, defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham in the semifinals with a score of 145-140.
This championship match was a rematch from the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, where Girdi narrowly defeated Sheetal 140-138. This time, with strong mental fortitude, Sheetal turned the tables to claim victory.
In the open team final, despite a promising start, Sheetal and Sarita lost to Turkey 148-152. The Indian duo initially edged past Girdi and Bursa Fatma Un 38-37 during the first end but faced challenges as the competition intensified.
Turkey staged a comeback in the second end by shooting three 10s and a nine, leveling the score. The Indian team struggled in the third end, managing only one 10. Consequently, they slipped behind as the Turkish team maintained consistency and took the overall lead.
In the final end, while Girdi and Un showcased remarkable precision, hitting 39 out of a possible 40, the Indian team faltered, scoring 36, with one arrow landing in the 7-ring. Turkey’s excellent performance secured the gold medal by a four-point margin.
Sheetal Devi’s achievements at the Para World Archery Championship have positioned her as a prominent figure in sports and have inspired many, especially in disability sports in India. Her determination and talent exemplify the spirit of triumph over adversity, resonating with aspiring athletes across the country.
