Sheetal Devi Equals World Record as India Tops Women’s Compound Qualification at Asian Para Games

Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi equalled the world record with 704 points out of a possible 720 in the women’s compound qualification round at the Asian Para Games on Monday, setting a new Asian record and helping India top the team standings.

The 19-year-old archer from Jammu and Kashmir delivered an outstanding performance at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, scoring 352 points in each half. She recorded 57 perfect 10s, including 32 Xs, which represent shots landing in the target’s innermost scoring zone.

Sheetal surpassed the previous Asian record of 698 points by six points and improved her own Asian Para Games record of 680, established at Hangzhou in 2023. She had won two gold medals in the individual and mixed team events and a silver in doubles at those Games. She had subsequently raised the Asian record to 698 in March 2026.

The Paris Paralympics bronze medallist matched the world-record score set by Türkiye’s Öznur Cüre Girdi at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Fellow Indian archer Payal Nag also impressed on her Asian Para Games debut, scoring 675 points to finish joint fifth in the qualification standings. She scored 334 points in the first half and 341 in the second, registering 12 Xs and 20 perfect 10s.

The quadruple amputee from Odisha had gained attention in April after defeating Sheetal to win gold at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok.

The Indian duo combined for 1,379 points, comfortably ahead of China’s 1,338, to secure first place in the women’s compound team qualification. India earned a direct berth in the semifinals and will face the winners of the quarterfinal between Thailand and Kazakhstan.

In the men’s compound qualification, Harvinder Singh finished fifth with 631 points, while Vijay Sundi placed seventh with 630.

Sheetal’s record-equalling performance and Payal’s impressive debut have strengthened India’s medal prospects ahead of the elimination rounds.