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Sheetal Devi Defends Para-Archery Title, Wins Asian Games Gold

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 10:06 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Sheetal Devi defended her individual compound title, winning gold at the Asian Para Games in Japan on October 22, 2026.
She and Toman Kumar secured mixed team gold, beating Indonesia 151-148.
Sheetal and Payal Nag earned India’s first para-archery medal, a silver in women’s compound doubles.
Born without arms, she shoots using her feet and shoulder.

History

Historical Context

The first Paralympic Games in Rome (Sept 18-25 1960) featured 400 athletes from 23 nations competing in eight archery events under the International Stoke-Mandeville Games Federation. Decades later, Sheetal Devi’s mixed-team gold at the 2026 Asian Para Games reflects that early inclusion, prompting bodies such as the Archery Association of India to expand adaptive programs.

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Story summary

Sheetal Devi defended her individual compound title, winning gold at the Asian Para Games in Japan on October 22, 2026.
She and Toman Kumar secured mixed team gold, beating Indonesia 151-148.
Sheetal and Payal Nag earned India’s first para-archery medal, a silver in women’s compound doubles.
Born without arms, she shoots using her feet and shoulder.

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