Sheetal Devi Matches World Record With 704 Points at Asian Para Games

India’s archery sensation Sheetal Devi delivered a remarkable performance at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on Monday, equalling the world record in the women’s compound ranking round and setting a new Asian record. The 19-year-old followed up her individual achievement by setting another world record alongside Toman Kumar in the compound mixed team event, marking an outstanding day for Indian para archery.

The Paris Paralympics bronze medallist scored 704 points out of a possible 720 in the women’s compound ranking round at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square. Her exceptional performance equalled the existing world record established by Türkiye’s Oznur Cure Girdi at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games while surpassing the previous Asian record by six points.

Sheetal’s achievement is particularly inspiring given her distinctive technique. Born without arms, she uses her feet and legs to position the compound bow and relies on her shoulder and jaw to draw and release the string. Through determination, precision and years of dedicated training, she has established herself as one of India’s leading para archers.

Her record-breaking performance in Nagoya also demonstrated significant progress since her previous appearance at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, where she won multiple medals. Later on Monday, she partnered with Toman Kumar to produce another world-record performance in the mixed team ranking round, further strengthening India’s position in the competition.

Sheetal Devi Equals World Record With 704 Points

Sheetal produced a near-flawless performance in the women’s compound ranking round, accumulating 704 points from 72 arrows. She recorded 57 perfect 10s and 32 Xs, demonstrating exceptional accuracy and consistency throughout the competition.

Her score surpassed the previous Asian record of 698 points by six points and matched the world record of 704, set by Türkiye’s Oznur Cure Girdi during the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

The achievement represents another milestone in Sheetal’s rapidly developing career. Competing against some of the strongest para archers in Asia, she showed that she could perform at the highest international level while continuing to push the boundaries of the sport.

Her ability to maintain such precision across all 72 arrows was central to her record-equalling performance. In compound archery, where athletes aim for small scoring zones on the target, consistency is essential. Sheetal’s impressive tally of perfect 10s highlighted her technical skill and concentration under competitive pressure.

The result also established a new benchmark for Asian para archery, raising the previous continental record by six points. Although the world record remains shared, Sheetal’s performance places her alongside the best athletes in the discipline.

From Hangzhou Gold Medallist to World Record-Equalling Archer

Sheetal’s latest performance builds on the success she achieved at the previous Asian Para Games in Hangzhou three years ago. At that competition, she recorded 680 points in the women’s compound ranking round and went on to win gold medals in the individual and mixed team events, along with silver in doubles.

Since then, she has continued to improve her scores. She raised her total to 698 points in March before reaching 704 in Nagoya, equalling the world record and setting a new Asian mark.

The progression from 680 to 704 points reflects the improvement she has made since her earlier Asian Para Games campaign. Her latest performance is also evidence of her ability to translate her development into results on a major international stage.

At just 19 years old, Sheetal has already established an impressive record in para archery. Her achievements have drawn attention not only because of the scores she produces but also because of the unique technique she has mastered to compete against elite athletes.

Her success in Nagoya adds another significant chapter to her sporting journey and gives India a strong platform as the competition moves into the knockout stages.

Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar Set Mixed Team World Record

Sheetal’s individual achievement was followed by another record-breaking performance later in the day. She joined forces with Toman Kumar in the compound mixed team ranking round, where the pair combined for a total of 1,402 points to establish a new world record.

Their combined score surpassed the previous world record of 1,400 points, underlining the strength of India’s compound archery team at the Asian Para Games.

Toman contributed 698 points in the men’s compound qualification round, while Sheetal added her record-equalling 704-point performance. Together, their totals gave them a two-point advantage over the previous world-record mark.

The result also secured the Indian duo direct entry into the quarter-finals. They will face the winners of the contest between Iraq and Japan as they continue their pursuit of a medal in the mixed team event.

The record is especially notable because Sheetal was also part of the previous mixed team combination that established the world record alongside Rakesh Kumar. Her latest performance with Toman demonstrates her continued contribution to India’s success in the discipline.

With both individual and mixed team records achieved on the same day, Sheetal enjoyed one of the most memorable performances of her international career. India’s archery contingent will now look to carry that momentum into the elimination rounds.

Payal Naga Makes Impressive Asian Para Games Debut

Sheetal was not the only Indian archer to make an impact in the women’s compound qualification round. Payal Naga made her Asian Para Games debut with a score of 675 points, providing another encouraging result for India’s para archery team.

The quadruple amputee from Odisha has already demonstrated her ability to compete at a high level. In April, Payal stunned Sheetal to win gold at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok, establishing herself as a competitor to watch in the international circuit.

Her performance in Nagoya added another important achievement to her growing career. A score of 675 points placed her in a strong position to contribute to India’s campaign in the women’s compound team event.

Payal’s emergence also highlights the depth of talent in India’s para archery programme. With both archers producing strong performances, the country has two athletes capable of making a significant impact in the individual and team competitions.

India Tops Women’s Compound Team Qualification

Sheetal and Payal combined for a total of 1,379 points in the women’s compound team qualification standings, finishing ahead of China, which recorded 1,338 points.

The Indian pair’s combined score gave them a 41-point advantage over their Chinese rivals and secured direct qualification for the semifinals. Their performance provides India with a promising opportunity to compete for a place in the final.

India will face the winners of the quarter-final between Thailand and Kazakhstan in the semifinals. The result of that contest will determine which team advances to challenge the Indian duo for a place in the next round.

The direct berth gives Sheetal and Payal an important advantage, allowing them to bypass the quarter-final stage. Their immediate challenge will be to maintain their accuracy and consistency when the knockout competition begins.

With Sheetal equalling the individual world record and helping set a new mixed team world record alongside Toman, while also contributing to India’s women’s team qualification success, the country’s archers have made a powerful statement in Nagoya.

Sheetal Devi Leads India’s Record-Breaking Day in Nagoya

Monday’s events marked an outstanding day for Indian para archery, with Sheetal producing two record-setting performances and Payal adding an impressive debut result. The achievements reflect the growing strength of India’s athletes in the compound events at the Asian Para Games.

Sheetal’s 704-point score equalled the women’s compound world record and established a new Asian record. Her partnership with Toman then produced a mixed team total of 1,402 points, surpassing the previous world record by two points.

Meanwhile, Sheetal and Payal’s combined score of 1,379 points topped the women’s compound team qualification standings, earning India direct passage to the semifinals.

With important knockout matches ahead, the Indian archers will aim to convert their strong qualification performances into further success. Sheetal’s record-equalling display has already made her one of the standout performers of the competition, while her achievements alongside Toman underline India’s strength in the mixed team event.

As the Asian Para Games continue in Nagoya, India’s para archers will look to build on this momentum and add more medals to their campaign. For Sheetal, the latest milestones represent another remarkable step in a career defined by determination, precision and a relentless pursuit of excellence.