Four points behind in an Asian Para Games final, Sheetal Devi had little room for another loose arrow. Within minutes, the match had turned. The Indian para-archer recovered to beat Singapore’s Alim Nur Syahidah 142–139 in the women’s individual compound final on Thursday, 22 October 2026, adding a second gold to the mixed team title she had won earlier with Toman Kumar.
At Japan’s Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park, she completed a three-medal campaign: two golds and a silver.
Key Highlights
- Sheetal Devi won two Asian Para Games 2026 gold medals on 22 October.
- She beat Singapore’s Alim Nur Syahidah 142–139 in the individual final.
- Sheetal and Toman Kumar defeated Indonesia 151–148 for mixed team gold.
- A silver with Payal Nag brought Sheetal’s 2026 total to three medals.
- Her qualification scores included an individual world-record-equalling 704 and a mixed team world record of 1,402.
From Four Points Down to Individual Gold
The final began 29–29. Three 10s from Syahidah in the second end left Sheetal trailing 55–59.
Then Sheetal hit six consecutive 10s. Two perfect ends reversed the deficit:
- After three ends: Sheetal 85, Syahidah 86.
- After four ends: Sheetal 115, Syahidah 113.
- At the finish: Sheetal 142, Syahidah 139.
Sheetal scored 27 in the last end against Syahidah’s 26, defending her Hangzhou individual title. The Indian Express detailed her comeback and the coach’s analysis.
How Sheetal and Toman Kumar Won Mixed Team Gold
Hours earlier, Sheetal and Toman Kumar faced Indonesia’s Teodora Audi Ayudia Ferelly and Ken Swagumilang for mixed team gold.
India led 38–37 after the opening end and 77–73 halfway through. Their advantage shrank to three points in the third end. Both pairs scored 38 in the last, sealing India’s 151–148 victory.
Against Chinese Taipei in the semifinal, India had survived a late scare to win 142–141.
Akashvani News confirmed that the victory delivered India’s first para-archery gold of these Games.
Records, Silver and a Remarkable Three-Medal Campaign
On 19 October, Sheetal scored 704/720 in qualification, equalling the world record. She also improved her previous Asian record of 698 and the Games record.
The official World Archery qualification report, together with later knockout coverage, documented more striking numbers:
- 1,402 points: Sheetal and Toman’s combined mixed team qualification total, improving the previous world record of 1,400.
- 1,379 points: Sheetal and Payal Nag’s women’s doubles qualification score, an Asian Games record at the time.
- 149 points: Sheetal’s score in a 149–134 elimination win over Hong Kong’s Chan Yuen Wah, reported as a new 15-arrow match world record.
On 21 October, Sheetal and Payal lost the women’s doubles final 141–150 to China’s Xu Xueqing and Zhao Jing. Silver was her first medal of this edition.
Like Hangzhou, she finished with two golds and a silver: four golds and two silvers across both editions.
The achievement reflects more than an unusual shooting method. Born without arms, Sheetal positions her bow with her feet and uses her shoulder and jaw to draw and release. In Japan, shifting wind became another challenge. Her coach Gaurav Sharma told The Indian Express that they discussed aiming adjustments after her 26-point second end.
What Sheetal Devi’s Double Gold Means for India
Sheetal’s 22 October results were part of a wider Indian medal surge. By Thursday night, India had reached 88 medals at Aichi-Nagoya: 21 gold, 26 silver and 41 bronze, according to DD India’s end-of-day update. That was a snapshot, not the final tally; the Games continue until 24 October.
In an October 22 X post, also carried on its official website, the Prime Minister’s Office congratulated Sheetal for defending her individual crown.
The next question is where her compound archery goes from here. Los Angeles 2028 will introduce compound mixed team archery to the Olympic programme, but an Asian Para Games title does not provide automatic Olympic qualification. A separate selection and qualification route stands between these golds and that event.
For verified results and further Indian performances, follow the World Archery competition page as the Aichi-Nagoya Games conclude.
FAQs
How many gold medals did Sheetal Devi win on 22 October 2026?
She won two gold medals on 22 October: the women’s individual compound title and the mixed team compound title with Toman Kumar at Aichi-Nagoya in Japan.
Who did Sheetal Devi defeat in the individual final?
She defeated Singapore’s Alim Nur Syahidah 142–139. The Singaporean led by four after two ends, but six consecutive 10s helped Sheetal turn the match around.
Who partnered Sheetal Devi in the mixed team final?
Toman Kumar was her partner. Together they defeated Indonesia’s Teodora Audi Ayudia Ferelly and Ken Swagumilang 151–148 in Thursday’s compound mixed team gold-medal contest.
How many medals did Sheetal Devi win at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Her total was three medals: two golds on 22 October and a silver from the women’s compound doubles event with Payal Nag a day earlier.
Did Sheetal Devi break a world record in 2026?
Yes. Sheetal equalled the individual qualification world record at 704/720. She and Toman Kumar also posted 1,402 in mixed team qualification, surpassing the previous record.
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