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Indian para-archers Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar delivered a remarkable double on Saturday (Sep 27, 2025), bringing home two gold medals at the Para World Archery Championships. Their victories marked a significant moment for India, both in terms of sporting history and national pride.
Eighteen-year-old Sheetal Devi, from Kashmir, became the first woman armless archer to clinch a World Championship title. Competing in the compound individual category, she overcame stiff competition to defeat Turkey’s world champion Cure Girid 146-143 in the final. The achievement not only highlighted her exceptional skill but also underscored her growing stature as a trailblazer in para archery.
Sheetal’s composure was evident throughout the contest. Locked at 29-all after the opening exchanges, she fired two perfect tens to gain momentum and establish an early lead. Although the Turkish archer staged a brief comeback, Sheetal maintained her nerve. With precise shooting under pressure, she built a cushion that her opponent could not overcome. By the final round, her consistent accuracy sealed the gold with an assured margin.
Later in the day, Toman Kumar replicated the feat in the men’s event, ensuring that India’s flag flew high again. His victory came in the compound open category, where he held his ground against top competitors to claim a well-deserved world title.
India’s success was not limited to individual brilliance. In the mixed team event, Sheetal partnered with Sarita to reach the final before narrowly losing to Turkey. The silver medal, however, added further shine to India’s performance. Sheetal also combined with Toman earlier in the tournament to win bronze in another mixed team category, beating Britain’s Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen 152-149.
For Indian para archery, this championship marked a new high. The last time an Indian had won a world title was in 2022, when Rakesh Kumar secured bronze in Dubai. Sheetal and Toman’s triumphs, therefore, signalled a breakthrough on the global stage.
Rakesh Kumar, a Paralympics bronze medallist, had to withdraw earlier from this championship due to a pulley issue in his bow. Yet his younger teammates ensured India still left with glory.
Saturday’s results mean India added two golds, a silver, and a bronze to its tally in Gwangju. For Sheetal Devi, the journey from a small village in Kashmir to the summit of world archery is not just a personal triumph but an inspiration for countless athletes across the country.
With performances marked by precision, poise, and resilience, Sheetal and Toman have firmly established India as a rising force in para archery. Their victories are likely to be remembered as defining moments in India’s sporting story.
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