Gwangju (South Korea), Sep 27 – Eighteen-year-old Indian armless archer Sheetal Devi made history on Saturday by defeating Turkey’s world No. 1, Oznur Cure Girdi, 146-143, to clinch the gold medal in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship. This remarkable victory not only showcases her incredible talent but also marks a significant milestone in sports.
Sheetal, the only armless archer in the competition, utilizes her feet and chin to shoot arrows. Remarkably, this victory represents her third medal at the championships. Earlier, she secured a mixed team bronze in the compound event alongside Toman Kumar, defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen 152-149. Additionally, in the women’s open team event, Sheetal and Sarita narrowly missed the gold, settling for silver.
The individual final mirrored a thrilling contest, where tension filled the air. The first end ended in a tie at 29-all. Displaying remarkable skill and focus, Sheetal delivered three 10s in the second end, seizing an early lead with a score of 30-27. The third end also concluded tied at 29-all. A minor lapse in the fourth end, where she scored 28 compared to Girdi’s 29, allowed her competitor to close the gap, yet Sheetal maintained a narrow two-point lead at 116-114 going into the final end.
With determination and precision, Sheetal sealed her maiden gold with a flawless final end, hitting three perfect arrows for a score of 30. Earlier, in the semifinals, the Jammu and Kashmir native showcased her prowess by defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham with a decisive score of 145-140, propelling her into the finals.
This title showdown was particularly memorable as it served as redemption for Sheetal. In the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, Girdi had narrowly edged out Sheetal 140-138. This time, however, Sheetal’s tenacity prevailed, allowing her to turn the tables and avenge her previous loss.
The open team finals also demonstrated the challenges faced by the Indian duo. Sheetal and Sarita started strongly but ultimately fell short, losing to the Turkish team with a score of 148-152. They initially outperformed the Turkish archers, Oznur Cure Girdi and Bursa Fatma Un, by edging out 38-37 in the opening end. Their strong start featured three 10s from four arrows, a mark of their excellent form.
However, the contest shifted as the Turkish pair regained their momentum in the second end, outscoring India by a point to level the match at 76-all. During the third end, nerves appeared to haunt the Indian archers, resulting in a score of only 36. The Turkish duo maintained their consistency, shooting a respectable 37, thus seizing a narrow overall lead.
As the competition drew to a close, Girdi and Un proved nearly flawless, hitting 39 out of a possible 40 in their final end. The Indian archers faltered with a score of 36, which included an arrow falling into the 7-ring. Consequently, Turkey clinched the gold medal with a decisive margin of four points. This journey for Sheetal Devi serves as an inspiration, highlighting her exceptional capabilities and determination despite adversities.
As India celebrates her extraordinary achievements, it is a reminder of the dedication shown by athletes like Sheetal, who continue to uplift the nation on the global sporting stage.
