At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, India’s Sheetal Devi excelled in archery, scoring 703 points, just one short of the world record. She finished second in the ranking round. Although she missed the individual record, she set a new world record in the mixed team event alongside Rakesh Kumar with a combined score of 1399.

At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, India’s Sheetal Devi, who was born without arms, excelled in the women’s individual compound open archery event, scoring 703 out of 720. This impressive score surpassed the former ranking round world record of 698, set by Great Britain’s Phoebe Pine Paterson earlier in the month. However, she finished second to Öznur Cüre of Turkiye, who established a new world record by achieving a remarkable 704 points.

In advancing directly to the round of 16, Sheetal stands poised to compete with notable contenders, including the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics silver medalist Mariana Zuniga of Chile. During this competition, the top four archers received byes from the round of 32. Achieving a strong start, Sheetal expressed optimism about her performance and aspirations to win a medal that would make her nation proud.

Despite falling short in the individual record category, Sheetal contributed to a new world record in the compound mixed team qualification alongside teammate Rakesh Kumar. Their combined score of 1399 surpassed the previous record, showcasing their exceptional teamwork. Rakesh’s individual score of 696 positioned him fifth among male competitors.

Sheetal’s journey is characterized by her resilience against phocomelia, a congenital condition that limits limb development. Previously, at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, she made history as the first Indian woman to claim two gold medals in a single event. Complementing her achievements, she has also earned a silver medal in the individual event at the 2023 World Championships in Plzen, reinforcing her status as an accomplished para archer.

Sheetal Devi is an inspiring figure in the world of para archery, showcasing exceptional skill despite physical challenges stemming from phocomelia, a condition resulting in underdeveloped limbs. Her journey is marked by significant achievements, particularly her history-making performance at the Asian Para Games. Sheetal’s accomplishments contribute to efforts to raise awareness about athletes with disabilities and showcase their talents on global platforms such as the Paralympics.

Sheetal Devi’s performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics illustrates her remarkable talent and determination as a para archer. Although she narrowly missed the individual world record, her contributions to the mixed team event highlight her outstanding skills. With a strong competitive spirit and previous accolades, Sheetal remains a strong contender for a medal, bringing hope and pride to her nation.

Original Source: www.olympics.com

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