Gwangju (South Korea), Sep 27: Eighteen-year-old Indian armless archer Sheetal Devi became a beacon of inspiration by winning the gold medal in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship on Saturday. She triumphed over Turkey’s world No.1 Oznur Cure Girdi, clinching the victory with a score of 146-143.
Sheetal, the only armless competitor in the tournament, showcases her incredible talent by shooting with her feet and chin. This significant win in Gwangju marks her third medal at this championship.
Previously, she secured a bronze medal in the mixed team event alongside Toman Kumar, defeating the British duo of Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen with a score of 152-149.
Despite an impressive display, Sheetal and her partner Sarita had to settle for silver in the women’s open team event after losing to the Turkish team in the finals.
The individual final saw a nail-biting exchange of scores. The initial end concluded in a tie at 29 each, but Sheetal excelled with a remarkable performance in the second end, scoring three 10s to take an early lead of 30-27.
The third end mirrored the tension as both archering talents tied again at 29. Although Sheetal faltered slightly in the fourth end, scoring 28 against Girdi’s 29, she held a narrow lead of 116-114.
In a commendable display, Sheetal closed the match with three flawless arrows in the final end, sealing her maiden gold with a perfect score of 30.
Before this momentous win, the Jammu and Kashmir archer commanded attention in the semifinals, where she delivered a dominant performance against England’s Jodie Grinham, winning decisively with a score of 145-140.
This championship encounter mirrored their previous meeting at the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, where Girdi had narrowly defeated Sheetal. This time, she proved her resilience and determination, turning the tables with her remarkable win.
In the women’s open team final, Sheetal and Sarita began with a strong showing, edging out Turkish archers Oznur Cure Girdi and Bursa Fatma Un 38-37 in the first end. Strong shooting led them to register three 10s among their first four arrows.
However, the Turkish duo responded fiercely in the second end, recovering with a score of 76-all. With nerves taking hold, the Indian pair faltered in the third end, managing just one 10 alongside two 9s and an 8. In contrast, the Turkish team shot 37, taking a slim lead.
In the end, the Turkish archers performed almost flawlessly, scoring 39 out of a possible 40 in the final round, while the Indian duo produced a 36 with one arrow landing in the 7-ring. Ultimately, Turkey claimed the gold by four points.
Sheetal Devi stands as a testimony to overcoming challenges and achieving greatness in the face of adversity. Her journey encourages many, proving that with dedication and resilience, one can reach remarkable heights.
