Gwangju (South Korea), Sep 27: Eighteen-year-old Indian para archer Sheetal Devi achieved a historic milestone by defeating Turkey’s world No.1, Oznur Cure Girdi, in a thrilling final to secure gold in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship on Saturday.
Sheetal, notable for being the only armless archer in this prestigious competition, uses her feet and chin to shoot. This championship marked her third medal, which showcases her remarkable talent and determination.
Earlier in the tournament, Sheetal and her partner Toman Kumar clinched a bronze medal in the mixed team event, overpowering Great Britain’s duo Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen with an impressive score of 152-149. In the compound women’s open team event, Sheetal and fellow archer Sarita had to settle for silver after a hard-fought battle against Turkey.
During the individual final, the atmosphere was electric as Sheetal faced Girdi. The match began with a closely contested first end that ended in a tie at 29-all. Displaying exceptional skill, Sheetal responded to the challenge by hitting three 10s in the second end, taking a 30-27 lead. The third end also concluded in a tie, but a minor slip in the fourth end allowed Girdi to gain a point; however, Sheetal maintained a narrow lead of 116-114.
With unyielding focus, She sealed her first gold medal by successfully hitting three consecutive perfect arrows in the final end, scoring 30.
Before reaching the final, Sheetal demonstrated her prowess by defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham with a score of 145-140 in the semifinals. This title match echoed a previous encounter at the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, where Girdi had edged out Sheetal. This time, however, Sheetal emerged victorious, marking a personal comeback and avenging her earlier defeat.
In the open team final, Sheetal and Sarita began with promising performances, initially edging ahead against Turkey. They opened with a strong start, outscoring the Turkish pair in the first end, 38-37. However, by the second end, Turkey rallied back, managing to score three 10s and leveling the match at 76-all. The contest took a turn as the Indian archers struggled with their shots in the third end, scoring 36 points and allowing Turkey to take the lead.
In the decisive final end, the Turkish archers proved nearly flawless, scoring 39 out of a possible 40, while the Indian duo faltered with a score of 36, including an arrow landing in the seven ring. Ultimately, Turkey claimed gold with a margin of four points.
Sheetal Devi’s remarkable achievements at the Para World Archery Championship emphasize not just her athletic ability but also the inspiring spirit she embodies as an archer. As she continues to face challenges head-on, her journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the nation.
