World Para Archery championship: Sheetal Devi makes historical past, turns into champion at 18

Eighteen-year-old Indian armless archer Sheetal Devi scripted historical past by defeating Turkiye’s world No.1 Oznur Cure Girdi 146-143 to bag the ladies’s compound particular person class gold on the Para World Archery Championship om Gwangju on Saturday (September 27, 2025).

Sheetal, the one armless archer within the competitors, shoots utilizing her toes and chin, and this was her third medal of the championships.

She had earlier received a blended group bronze within the compound occasion with Toman Kumar, defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen 152-149.

In the compound ladies’s open group occasion, Sheetal and Sarita settled for silver after shedding to Turkey within the remaining.

The particular person remaining was a tense battle however Sheetal stayed constant and shot with composure. The first finish was tied at 29-all, however Sheetal fired three 10s within the second finish to take an early lead, successful it 30-27.

The third finish was additionally tied at 29-all. Sheetal’s solely slight lapse got here within the fourth finish, the place she scored 28 as Girdi took it by one level, but Sheetal nonetheless held a two-point lead at 116-114.

She then sealed her maiden gold with a flawless remaining finish, hitting three good arrows for 30.

Earlier within the semifinals, the Jammu and Kashmir archer produced a commanding 145-140 victory over Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham to achieve the ultimate.

The title conflict was a repeat of the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, the place Girdi had narrowly overwhelmed Sheetal 140-138. This time, Sheetal turned the tables to avenge her defeat two years in the past.