Sheetal Devi Equals World Record with 704 Points, Sets New Asian Mark at Asian Para Games

The 19-year-old Sheetal hit the perfect 10-point mark 57 times in her 72 arrows. Of those shots, 32 landed in the innermost section of the target, known as the X zone. Her remarkable accuracy helped her surpass the previous Asian record by six points.

Paris Paralympics bronze medallist Sheetal had earlier raised the Asian record to 698 points in March. She improved her own mark in Nagoya, taking her performance to 704 points. The world record also stands at 704 points, set by Türkiye’s Oznur Girdi at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Sheetal had previously established a record of 680 points at the Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou in 2023. At that competition, she won two gold medals in the individual and mixed team events, along with a silver medal in doubles. The reigning champion at the Asian Games has now significantly surpassed her earlier qualification performance.

Payal Makes Impressive Debut, Strengthens India’s Team Medal Prospects

Making her debut at the Asian Games, Payal also impressed in the women’s compound qualification event. The archer from Odisha scored 675 points to finish fifth, strengthening India’s medal prospects in both the individual and team events.

Payal, who has a disability affecting all four limbs, came into the spotlight after defeating Sheetal Devi to win gold at the World Archery Para Series held in Bangkok in April this year.

The combined performances of Sheetal and Payal helped India secure the top position in the women’s compound team qualification. The Indian pair accumulated a total of 1,379 points, while China finished second with 1,338 points.

By finishing at the top of the qualification standings, the Indian team secured direct entry into the semifinals. India will face the winner of the quarterfinal between fifth-seeded Thailand and fourth-seeded Kazakhstan.

A victory in that match will take India into the medal contest.

Sheetal’s world record-equalling performance and Payal’s strong debut have strengthened India’s campaign at the Asian Para Games. Attention now turns to the elimination rounds, where the Indian pair will look to convert their impressive qualification results into a medal.