Paris Paralympics: Archer Sheetal Devi scores 703 in ranking round, one point short of World Record

The Indian campaign at the Paris Paralympics 2024 started with Sheetal Devi breaking the world record in the women’s individual compound open ranking round. The 17-year-old armless archer dominated the ranking round for the most part, accumulating 703 points, which also marked her personal best. Devi’s opening day exploit of 703 points led the Indian archer to break the previous world record of 698, set by Phoebe Pine Paterson of Great Britain in August. However, Devi’s stay at the top was short-lived, as Turkey’s Oznur Girdi Cure scored two 60s in her final two attempts, ending up with a total score of 704. Sheetal Devi thus finished the ranking round in second place, earning a bye to the round of 16 at the Paris Paralympics.

The road to Paris Paralympics for Sheetal Devi

Hailing from Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal Devi was born with phocomelia, a rare congenital condition that hinders the proper development of limbs. As a result, Sheetal’s arms are not fully developed. However, the condition didn’t limit Devi’s aspirations as she trained in archery. Sheetal has conditioned herself to use her upper body strength to support her endeavor. The para-archer uses her right foot, right shoulder, and jaw to release the arrow. Moreover, the Indian athlete is the only para archer who uses her feet to shoot.

The Paris edition is the debut Paralympics for 17-year-old Sheetal Devi. However, the para-archer is one of the top medal prospects for India in the ongoing games. Coming to the ongoing Paralympics, Devi has quite a few achievements to her name. The Indian para archer scripted history at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou last year when she became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at a single edition of the games. The para archer won a gold in the individual compound open event and quickly backed it up with another gold in the mixed team compound event. The young prodigy also won a silver medal in the women’s doubles compound event in Hangzhou. Furthermore, Sheetal Devi won a silver medal in the individual event at the 2023 World Championships in Plzen.

Archer Sheetal Devi breaks the World Record in Paralympics rabking round

Sheetal Devi started her Paris Paralympics campaign with the ranking round of the women’s individual compound open event. The gold medal winner of the Asian Games, Devi was quick to announce her dominance in the ranks as she collected 176 points within 18 shots. The Indian para archer finished the first half with 348 points. However, Turkish para archer Oznur Cure also tracked her way up to the top, closing in second to Sheetal Devi.

In the second half of the ranking round, Sheetal was consistent in her aims, scoring 55 or higher. With three perfect scores of 60 in the first five sets, Devi ended with a score of 59. By the end of the fifth set in the second half, Sheetal was tied for the top spot with 644 points, alongside Turkey's Oznur Cure. In a thrilling tussle for the top rank, Devi and Cure scored six 10s each after tying with 644 points in the second half.

As both para archers edged past the previous world record, Turkey’s Oznur Cure scored two 60s in her final attempts to claim first place with a total of 704 points. Overall, out of the designated 72 arrows, Devi hit 59 10s, 24 of which were Inner ring Xs. Turkey’s Oznur, meanwhile, scored 56 10s with 29 Xs. Both para archers, in turn, became the first women in the history of the discipline to cross 700 points in the 72-arrow qualification format.

Cruising strongly in the ongoing Paralympics, Sheetal Devi stated that she is looking for a medal finish in the event. "I have started strongly with a good performance,” Sheetal said. “If I'm able to keep this level and keep improving, I have a chance to win a medal for India and make my nation proud,” she added.

The top four finishers in the ranking round, including Sheetal Devi, who finished second, earned direct access to the round of 16 of the women’s individual compound open event at the Paris Paralympics. Now, Devi may face Mariana Zuniga of Chile, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, in her round of 16 match on Saturday. Zuniga will first face Choi Na Mi of Korea, who finished 32nd in the ranking round, in the round of 32 match. Devi won’t be facing Turkey’s world-record holder until the finals, keeping our hopes high for a final finish for Sheetal Devi. Devi’s round of 16 match in the women’s compound event is scheduled for August 31st at 8:59 PM IST.