Nagoya, Oct 19: Jammu and Kashmir’s archery star Sheetal Devi equalled the world record with 704 points in the women’s compound qualification round at the Asian Para Games on Monday, setting a new Asian record and helping India top the women’s compound team standings.
The 19-year-old Paris Paralympics bronze medallist delivered an exceptional performance, registering 57 perfect 10s from 72 arrows, including 32 Xs, which mark shots landing in the innermost scoring zone.
Sheetal surpassed the previous Asian record of 698 points by six points, setting a new benchmark in the continental competition. The world record of 704 points was established 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, where she won two gold medals in the individual and mixed team events and a silver in doubles.
She had raised the Asian record to 698 points in March this year before improving it further with Monday’s performance in Nagoya.
Payal Impresses on Debut
Asian Games debutant Payal also made an impressive start, scoring 675 points to finish fifth in the women’s compound qualification round and boost India’s medal prospects in the individual and team events.
The quadruple amputee from Odisha had gained prominence in April after defeating Sheetal to win gold at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok.
The combined scores of Sheetal and Payal gave India 1,379 points, placing the country at the top of the women’s compound team qualification standings, well ahead of second-placed China, which scored 1,338 points.
India secured a direct berth in the semifinals and will face the winners of the quarterfinal between fifth-seeded Thailand and fourth-seeded Kazakhstan. A victory will take the Indian pair into the medal round.
Sheetal’s record-equalling feat and Payal’s impressive debut have strengthened India’s campaign ahead of the elimination rounds. (Agencies)