Nagoya: Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi equalled the world record with a score of 704 out of 720 in the women’s compound qualification round at the Para Asian Games. Her performance also set a new Asian record at the ongoing competition in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
The 19-year-old scored six points more than the previous Asian record of 698. Her result gives India a strong start in the para-archery competition and places her among the leading contenders for a medal.
India’s Payal Nag also delivered a strong performance, scoring 675 points to finish joint fifth in the qualification standings. Her result means India has two archers among the leading performers in the women’s compound event.
Payal has made a mark on the international para-archery circuit. She won gold medals at the 2026 World Archery Para Series in Bangkok and has also beaten Sheetal in international competition.
Sheetal Devi Looks to Add Another Major Title
Sheetal has already achieved several milestones in her career. She won gold in the women’s compound individual event at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and went on to win bronze at the Paris Paralympics in 2024. She has also won a world championship title.
Her qualification score of 704 gives her a strong position heading into the elimination rounds. The qualification standings will determine the archers’ seedings for the knockout stages.
With the world record equalled and the Asian record improved, Sheetal will now look to carry her form into the next rounds. India will also hope Payal can build on her qualification performance as both archers aim for a place on the podium.