In a stunning showcase of skill and resilience, India’s Sheetal Devi secured her maiden gold medal in the Women’s Compound Open category at the 2025 World Para Archery Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea. The 18-year-old para archer defeated Türkiye’s Oznur Cure Girdi, a three-time world champion and Paralympic gold medalist, with a score of 146–143 in a tense final that highlighted her growing stature on the global stage.
Why This Matters
- This victory marks a historic moment not just for Sheetal but for Indian para sports.
- Her ability to overcome physical and competitive challenges demonstrates the growing potential of India’s para-athlete ecosystem.
- With this win, Sheetal has positioned herself as a global name in archery, reinforcing India’s reputation in international para-sport competitions.
A Dominant Gold Medal Match
- The final was intense from the outset. Both athletes scored 29 points in the first end, but Sheetal quickly surged ahead in the second, hitting three perfect 10s and winning it 30–27.
- Although the third end was again tied at 29–29, Girdi narrowed the gap in the fourth with a 29–28 advantage. Still, Sheetal held a 116–114 lead heading into the final set.
- In a display of remarkable calm and focus, she fired another flawless end of 30, sealing the match at 146–143 and earning her first world title in the individual category.
Three Medals in a Day
Sheetal’s gold wasn’t her only success at the championships. She also earned,
- Silver in Women’s Compound Open Team with Sarita, after narrowly losing to Türkiye in the final.
- Bronze in Compound Mixed Team Open with Toman Kumar, defeating Britain’s pair of Nathan MacQueen and Jodie Grinham.
- In total, she secured three medals — a rare and commendable feat at the World Championships.
Who is Sheetal Devi?
Born in 2007 in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, Sheetal was born with phocomelia, a condition resulting in the absence of both arms. Despite this, she learned to shoot using her legs and chin, making her technique unique and inspiring.
Her earlier successes include,
- Bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in mixed team compound.
- Recognition with the Arjuna Award in 2023, becoming one of the youngest recipients.
- Multiple international medals at the Asian Para Games and continental championships.
India’s Overall Performance
India had a notable outing in Gwangju beyond Sheetal’s achievements,
- Toman Kumar won gold in the men’s compound after his opponent Rakesh Kumar retired due to equipment failure.
- Shyam Sunder Swami narrowly missed out on bronze, losing to Britain’s Nathan MacQueen.
- These performances indicate India’s growing depth in compound para archery and signal a strong preparation path for upcoming global tournaments.
Key Takeaways
- Event: 2025 World Para Archery Championships, Gwangju, South Korea
- Achievement: Gold in Women’s Compound Open; silver and bronze in team events
- Opponent in Final: Oznur Cure Girdi (Türkiye)
- Final Score: 146–143
- Notable Background: Armless archer using feet and chin; Arjuna Awardee 2023
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