NAGOYA — India’s archery sensation Sheetal Devi produced a phenomenal performance in the women’s compound qualification round at the Asian Para Games on Monday, equalling the world record with 704 points out of a possible 720 and setting a new Asian record. The 19-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir delivered a near-flawless display of precision and consistency, registering 57 perfect 10s from her 72 arrows, including 32 Xs — shots landing in the innermost scoring zone of the target.
The Paris Paralympics bronze medallist thus surpassed the previous Asian record of 698 points by six points, setting a new benchmark in continental competition. The world record of 704 points was set by Türkiye’s Oznur Girdi at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. The reigning Asian Games champion also bettered her own Asian Para Games record of 680 points, set at Hangzhou in 2023, when she went on to win two gold medals — individual and mixed team — and one silver in doubles.
Sheetal had previously raised the Asian record to 698 in March this year before improving it further with her outstanding qualification-round showing in Nagoya. Her record-equalling score topped the women’s individual qualification standings, well ahead of Singapore’s Nur Syahidah Alim, who scored 683 points, while China’s Xueqing Xu took third place with 680.
Sheetal Devi Anchors India’s Team Success
The combined efforts of Sheetal and debutant Payal propelled India to the top of the women’s compound team qualification standings with a combined score of 1,379 points, comfortably ahead of China, who finished second with 1,338 points. India’s strong qualification performance earned the team a direct berth in the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the quarterfinal between fifth-seeded Thailand and fourth-seeded Kazakhstan.
Payal, the quadruple amputee from Odisha, also impressed in the women’s compound qualification, scoring 675 points to finish fifth and strengthen India’s medal prospects in the individual and team events. She shot to prominence in April this year when she stunned Sheetal on her way to winning gold at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok.
Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar Smash Mixed Team Record
The record book was rewritten again later in the day when Sheetal teamed up with Toman Kumar — the world No. 1s and reigning world champions — to combine for a world-record 1,402 points in the compound mixed team qualification round at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square. The Indian duo surpassed the previous world record of 1,400 held by Sheetal and Rakesh Kumar, set at the World Para Archery Series in Ahmedabad earlier this year.
Their tally also comfortably eclipsed the Asian Para Games record of 1,382, established by China at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou. Toman registered a personal best of 698 points out of 720 in the men’s compound ranking round to finish third, while China’s Yicheng Zhang topped the standings with 708 points, setting a new Asian record.
What Sheetal Devi’s Feat Means
Sheetal’s performance underlines India’s growing dominance in para archery and strengthens the pair’s prospects ahead of the medal rounds. For a 19-year-old who competes without arms — shooting with her feet and shoulders — equalling a world record held by an able-bodied-in-adaptation sporting giant like Girdi is a milestone that transcends the Asian Para Games.
With India topping both the women’s compound team and mixed team qualification, the elimination rounds promise to be a showcase of the country’s depth. Sheetal’s record-equalling score, coupled with Payal’s impressive debut, has provided a major boost to India’s campaign — and a warning to the rest of the field that the road to gold in Nagoya runs through India.
India’s Broader Campaign in Nagoya
Sheetal’s heroics came on a day when India was already celebrating across disciplines. The contingent opened its medal account in heroic fashion with 11 medals on Day 1, powered by golds from Mona Agarwal in shooting, Nishad Kumar and Rinku Hooda in athletics and Soumya, silvers from Avani Lekhara, Kokila, Radha Venkatesh, Ajeet Singh and Ravi Budigina, and bronzes from Kapil Parmar in judo and Ravanni Valasanaini. Sheetal’s qualification records added to the momentum even before the elimination rounds began.
The Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya bring together the continent’s best para athletes, and India’s para-archery squad — led by world No. 1s Sheetal and Toman — has emerged as one of the strongest contingents in the field. With quarterfinal berths secured across the compound events, India now has multiple routes to the podium in the days ahead.